North Dakota Senate passes House Bill 1561 to restrict minors from accessing pornographic content

North Dakota has taken a significant step to protect children from online pornography with the passage of House Bill 1561 during the Senate Floor Session on April 1, 2025. The bill mandates that websites containing harmful material implement reasonable age verification methods to ensure that minors cannot access such content.

Under the new law, website owners must verify that visitors are over 18 years old before granting access to adult content. This verification does not require specific age details but simply confirms that the user is above the legal threshold. The bill aims to address growing concerns about children accessing inappropriate material online, a trend that has been alarming to lawmakers and parents alike.

The enforcement of this law will be vested in private citizens, such as parents or guardians, who can take civil action against websites that fail to comply. Notably, the bill does not impose state enforcement but focuses on commercial entities that knowingly distribute harmful material to minors. It specifically excludes news or public interest broadcasts and does not apply to internet service providers or search engines.

The legislation aligns with similar laws enacted in 20 other states and is designed to enhance user privacy and security. It prohibits entities from retaining personal information used for age verification after access is granted, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches and misuse of personal data.

The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, with a final tally of 46 in favor and none against, reflecting strong bipartisan support. As North Dakota implements this law, it is anticipated that the demand for secure age verification methods will lead to the development of new technologies, including digitized identification systems.

This legislative move underscores the state's commitment to safeguarding children from the potential harms of online pornography while balancing the rights of adults to access such content responsibly. The implications of this law will be closely monitored as it sets a precedent for how states can regulate online access to adult material.