Kansas Senator Dismisses Free Speech Concerns About Her Age Verification Bill

Kansas Senator Dismisses Free Speech Concerns About Her Age Verification Bill

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas state Senate Judiciary Committee last week voted unanimously to endorse the state’s copycat version of the age verification legislation being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite Democratic senators expressing concerns about potential implications for free speech.

SB 394 was introduced by the committee’s Republican chair, Sen. Kellie Warren, who eventually convinced her colleagues to send the measure to a full Senate vote.

Under the bill, adult websites “would be subject to the age-confirmation requirement if more than one-fourth of content viewed in any calendar month could be interpreted as harmful to minors,” the Kansas Reflector reported.

Unlike some of the recent age verification laws in other states, which only enable civil suits by non-government plaintiffs, the Kansas bill also allows for state action. This led Democratic senators to express concerns that the bill could empower Kansas’ far-right conservative attorney general, Kris Kobach, to “attack websites dedicated to literature or fine art,” the Reflector reported.

Democratic Sen. Tom Holland asked whether the bill would cover, as an example, the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, which national anti-porn lobby NCOSE has called “hardcore pornography.” 

“Would that qualify as basically being harmful to minors?” Holland queried. “Could you not make the argument that that is sexually titillating?” 

Warren contended that Kansas already defines content “harmful to minors” as material “containing any description, exhibition, presentation or representation of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse.” 

“This bill is narrowly tailored so it doesn’t run afoul of First Amendment concerns,” she insisted.

She confirmed, however, that her bill would make the attorney general “responsible for investigating public reports of noncompliance with the law and the courts would make determinations based on that evidence,” the Reflector reported, adding that Kobach “would be allowed to seek civil penalties against websites ranging from $500 to $10,000 for each underage visit to the offending website.”

Warren’s bill also allows for civil actions by any Kansas parent or guardian of a minor “who gained access to pornography on certain websites.”

Despite his stated concerns, Holland voted in favor of the bill, as did other senators who initially expressed reservations about privacy and data security issues concerning the bill’s still-undetermined mandatory age verification system.

As XBIZ reported, last week, during a similar committee hearing in the South Dakota state House, Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach openly acknowledged that that state’s copycat bill is “part of a national movement pushing back on what he described as ‘this kind of filth,’” local station KELO reported.

His fellow Republican Rep. Rebecca Reimer expressed satisfaction that a similar measure in North Carolina had resulted in Pornhub blocking access to the site for all users regardless of age.

“It seems to be working,” Reimer stated.

Main Image Insert : Kansas Sen. Kellie Warren (R)

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Paysite 'RealGirlsFuck' Relaunches as 'Taboolu.com'

Producer/performer Josh Lewis has relaunched his paysite, RealGirlsFuck, as Taboolu.com.

Show More