The War on Porn Regular Updates about the Assault on The Adult Industry
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DES MOINES, Iowa—A revised age verification measure aimed at online pornography platforms cleared the Iowa Senate on Wednesday with unanimous support, advancing legislation focused on material classified as “harmful to minors.”
House File (HF) 864 passed by a 46-0 vote during a floor session at the state Capitol.
The bill traces back to the 2025 session, when it was first introduced and approved on a similarly unanimous vote. The Iowa House moved it forward late that year, but final action was postponed until lawmakers returned for the current session.
Lawmakers updated the proposal following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld a similar law in Texas, making adjustments intended to align the Iowa measure with that ruling and improve its chances of withstanding judicial scrutiny.
With Senate approval complete, the bill goes back to the House for further consideration. It is not expected to encounter significant opposition. Republicans control the legislature and hold a majority just shy of a supermajority.
The measure is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds, positioning Iowa among the states implementing age verification requirements for adult content online.
If enacted, enforcement authority would rest with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, led by Brenna Bird.
Websites and platforms found in violation could face fines of up to $10,000 per violation.
“The attorney general may bring a civil action to provide for civil penalties in an amount not more than $100,000” if a platform ignores a legal injunction, the bill states.
Consistent with similar laws in other states, the proposal allows companies to rely on third-party providers offering “reasonable” age verification methods. Those providers would be barred from retaining user data but could be required to provide information if ordered by a state court.
The legislation also directs the attorney general’s office to create an electronic reporting system, enabling alleged violations to be submitted for investigation.
