Florida Legislature Passes Sweeping, DeSantis-Endorsed Age Verification Bill

Florida Legislature Passes Sweeping, DeSantis-Endorsed Age Verification Bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida legislature has passed a sweeping age verification bill that includes provisions applying specifically to adult websites, with Gov. Ron DeSantis calling the bill “superior” to a competing measure he vetoed days earlier.

The State Senate passed HB 3 on Monday, on Wednesday the House voted 109-4 to approve it and send it to DeSantis’ desk, the local NBC affiliate reported.

“This is something that I believe will save the current generation and generations to come if we’re successful,” Republican House Speaker Paul Renner stated.

NBC 6 reported, “The bill, in part, would prevent children under age 16 from opening social media accounts — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts. Children under 14 could not open accounts.”

The bill also requires adult websites to implement age verification in order to prevent anyone under 18 from accessing them.

As XBIZ reported, after DeSantis vetoed the earlier bill, HB 1, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo told the Florida Politics news site that Renner and De Santis were “working together on language that will work for them to basically fix the concerns that the Governor has with HB 1. And my understanding is that they are in a really good spot.”

The version of HB 3 that was approved by the legislature is a much expanded version of the bill introduced earlier this year by Rep. Chase Tramont, a politician and ordained clergyman who serves as pastor at Oceanway Church in New Smyrna Beach. Tramont's bill originally only targeted adult websites, but broader regulations about social media were added to it later.

Florida-based First Amendment expert Lawrence Walters, of Walters Law Group, wrote to the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of his client, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, opposing the bill’s age verification requirements as “not only unconstitutional and a danger to consumer privacy, but ineffective at preventing minors from accessing adult content.”

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

Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

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.

Show More