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Senate approves bill requiring warnings on pornographic material after floor debate over enforceability
Summary
The Senate passed the second substitute of HB 243, creating a civil cause of action and penalties for distributing pornographic material without a visible warning; senators debated whether a label could unintentionally draw minors to the material and raised concerns about enforcement capacity.
The Utah Senate approved the second substitute to House Bill 243 on Feb. 27, advancing a bill that would require visible warnings on pornographic material and create a civil enforcement pathway for violations.
Sen. Weiler, presenting the substituted bill on the floor, said the measure establishes a private cause of action and a process to cure violations and includes a civil penalty of up to $2,500 per violation with a portion of recoveries directed to the victims' reparations fund. He moved an amendment and the substitute before the body debated the bill.
Opponents on the floor warned of unintended consequences. Sen. Hilliard asked whether adding a warning could act as…
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