North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has vetoed House Bill 805, legislation that adult industry advocates say could severely restrict legal adult content creation and distribution in the state. The bill, officially titled the Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors Act, now heads back to the legislature, where an override attempt is scheduled for July 29.

In a statement addressing HB 805 along with three other vetoed bills, Stein said, “These mean-spirited bills would marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education. Therefore, I am vetoing them. I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians’ pressing concerns.”

Though Stein did not specifically reference the adult industry provisions in his remarks, the bill contains a suite of measures widely criticized by digital rights and adult industry groups as overly broad and impractical. HB 805 would require adult websites and content platforms to implement stringent verification systems, including performer age and consent checks that exceed current federal standards under Section 2257 of U.S. law.

One of the bill’s most contentious provisions mandates explicit, written consent from performers for each sexual act depicted during filming, as well as separate consent for distribution. Additionally, the bill would allow performers to revoke that consent at any time, even after signing contracts, obligating platforms to remove the content upon request.

Critics say the legislation could disrupt existing model agreements and force websites to retroactively obtain documentation for previously published content, an administrative and legal burden many view as unmanageable.

Adult industry representatives warn that if enacted, the bill could lead to widespread censorship of adult content online, with many platforms choosing to ban adult creators from North Carolina rather than navigate the law’s complex compliance requirements.

While HB 805 passed both chambers of the Republican-led legislature earlier this month, the margins fell short of those required to override a gubernatorial veto. However, legislative leaders have placed the bill “on call” for July 29, leaving open the possibility of an override if absent or abstaining members join a renewed vote.

In addition to its adult content provisions, the bill includes unrelated measures that have drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups. These include new restrictions affecting transgender individuals and expanded parental authority to block children’s access to school library materials, issues that likely factored into the governor’s veto decision.

Unless the legislature secures the necessary three-fifths majority in both chambers to override the veto, the bill will fail.