Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 1959, introducing mandatory age verification measures for adult websites accessed from within the state. This legislation places Oklahoma among a growing number of states enforcing stricter regulations on adult content.

Crafted by State Senator Jerry Alvord and Representative Toni Hasenbeck, SB 1959 progressed smoothly through the legislative process, passing the Senate with a vote of 41-5 and the House by 79-13. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2024, giving websites and enforcement bodies ample time to prepare for the changes.

This legislative move aligns with actions taken in other Republican-majority states, reflecting a national trend toward imposing more rigorous controls over online adult content. The bill was chosen over another more extreme proposal that sought to ban pornography entirely within the state.

The bill’s approval has been largely driven by concerns over the accessibility of adult content to minors. Brett Farley of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma emphasized that SB 1959 provides parents with a legal mechanism to shield their children from exposure to such material. Moreover, the law enables parents and the state attorney general to initiate lawsuits against non-compliant platforms.

In similar scenarios in other states, some adult content providers have restricted access to their sites to avoid legal entanglements and financial liabilities. Farley suggests that the significant legal and financial risks posed by SB 1959 might lead companies to withdraw their services from Oklahoma, mirroring actions taken elsewhere.

The passage of SB 1959 occurs amid broader national debates and legal challenges regarding the constitutionality of such measures. The Free Speech Coalition, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a similar age verification law in Texas, arguing that it infringes on First Amendment rights. This ongoing legal battle underscores the contentious nature of age verification laws and their implications for free speech and digital privacy.

As states like Oklahoma continue to legislate in this arena, the responses of content providers and the outcomes of impending legal challenges will significantly shape the landscape of the adult industry.