Lawmakers in West Virginia and Idaho are pushing forward with new bills aimed at tightening access to adult content. These proposals echo similar legislative efforts across the United States, spotlighting a national trend toward increased regulation of pornographic material.

Yes, even for consenting adults who want to view perfectly legal adult content.

West Virginia’s House of Delegates, under Republican leadership, has introduced House Bill (HB) 4867, a measure closely mirroring laws recently enacted in states like Louisiana and Utah. Spearheaded by Del. Geno Chiarelli, a newcomer with strong ties to conservative Catholic groups, HB 4867 seeks to shield minors from age-restricted content online. The bill predicates enforcement on whether a site’s material deemed “harmful to minors” comprises a “substantial portion” of its offerings, quantified as 33% or more.

Chiarelli advocates for “reasonable age verification methods” despite similar measures in Virginia encountering enforcement challenges. HB 4867 has successfully navigated the House Judiciary Committee and awaits further deliberation in the full House.

Simultaneously, Idaho’s legislative landscape is witnessing its own efforts to curb access to adult content. Republican Representatives Elaine Price and Julianne Young are championing a bill that would empower private citizens to initiate lawsuits against content “creators” for failing to verify user ages adequately. However, the definition of “reasonable steps” for age verification remains broad and undefined.

Adding to Idaho’s legislative endeavors, Senator Kevin Cook revisits a previously defeated proposal. His revamped bill mandates mobile device manufacturers and retailers to activate built-in parental controls on gadgets potentially accessible to minors. Despite reworking the bill to address earlier concerns, Cook’s initiative faces potential constitutional roadblocks, echoing the opposition met by similar laws in other states, including Utah.

These legislative moves in West Virginia and Idaho underscore a broader national debate over the regulation of adult content and the balance between protecting minors and preserving First Amendment rights. As these bills progress, they invite scrutiny from both supporters and critics, highlighting the complex interplay between law, technology, and personal freedoms in the digital age.