Statements on Bills Protecting Children Becoming Law

Raleigh, N.C. — Today, House Bill 8, “Various Statutory Changes,” and Senate Bill 579, “Prevent Harm to Children,” were both signed into law. These bills include provisions intended to protect children from accessing inappropriate material online and being subjected to obscene acts in person.

Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance), who advocated for the provision in House Bill 8 requiring pornography sites to use age-verification software, gave the following statement on it becoming law:

“A cell phone in a child’s hand can be a portal into the most sexually graphic and violent content imaginable. We need safeguards to protect children from accessing inappropriate and harmful material online. Requiring age verification for pornography sites is a simple but effective way we can keep minors from accessing such content. This is a good provision and data from other states shows it will work.”

Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 579. The bill increases the penalty for violating North Carolina’s existing obscenity law to a Class H felony. Sen. Newton gave the following statement on the bill becoming law:

“Performing acts of obscenity in front of children is a line that should never be crossed, but unfortunately we’re seeing it happen. ‘Prevent Harm to Children’ will help rid our society of this disturbing behavior and keep children safe. Our message is clear: do not commit obscene acts in front of children.”