New York Joins List of States Weighing AV Bills

New York Joins List of States Weighing AV Bills

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York is the latest state to consider legislation that would require adult sites to verify the ages of users seeking to access adult content.

State Senator Jake Ashby and State Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh, both Republicans, introduced identical companion bills in the Senate and Assembly that would require any site hosting content deemed harmful to minors to verify the ages of users.

The bills mirror other age verification legislation being promoted around the country by religious conservative activists, with some variations. For instance, while AV bills and laws in some other states specify that one-third of a site’s content must fall under the “harmful to minors” category in order for those laws to apply, the New York version simply says that sites hosting “any sexual material harmful to minors” would be subject to the new law.

Other states’ versions also vary in terms of enforcement. While some assign enforcement to the state, others enable civil suits — a strategy that avoids potential legal wrangles over state enforcement. The New York version authorizes the state attorney general to impose a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per day on sites that fail to comply.

The bills will next be reviewed by the New York legislature's Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee, and by the Senate Internet and Technology Committee.

A recent copycat AV bill in New Mexico stalled out in that state’s House Commerce & Economic Development Committee, which raised issues with the bill in committee session that highlighted the same legal, technical and privacy concerns that free speech and privacy advocates have consistently raised in connection with other age verification bills and laws around the country.

The status of many of those bills and laws may be determined when the Supreme Court rules in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the FSC-led challenge to Texas’ age verification law. Oral arguments in that case took place Jan. 15.

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

UPDATED: 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