Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Senate lawmakers voted along party lines to approve a bill requiring pornographic material to carry a label warning about harmful effects it can have on minors.
Though HB243, sponsored by Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Highland, already passed out of the House in February, the legislation will be transferred back for approval of Senate amendments. With the bodies’ approval, the bill will go to the governor for his action.
The warning that the legislation would require would say exposing minors to pornography is known to “cause negative impacts to brain development, emotional development and the ability to maintain intimate relationships.”
Related:
Utah bill to require warning label on pornography passes House
A Utah bill to require pornography sites to post warning labels about the harmful effects lawmakers say it can have on minors cleared another legislative hurdle.It would also allow individuals who distribute or publish pornographic material with the intent to profit off their actions to be sued up to $2,500 for each violation.
Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, questioned how the legislation would be enforced and expressed concerns that doing so would be cumbersome.
Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, said that although he voted against the legislation in committee, his opinion has changed because the legislation doesn’t infringe on First Amendment rights — it simply requires a notice and doesn’t prevent viewers from accessing the material.
Final passage was 20-6.
