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WASHINGTON — Following the progression of a package of children’s online safety bills in Congress, FSC Executive Director Alison Boden traveled to Washington, D.C. to share the adult industry’s experience with age verification policies and proposals for improving legislation currently under consideration at the federal level. The delegation included performer and advocate Allie Eve Knox, Julian Corbett of the OpenAge Initiative, and members of the government affairs team from FS Vector.
Background
On March 5, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the KIDS Act, which incorporates more than a dozen bills related to children’s use of the internet, including the SCREEN Act. The updated language in the bill is more detailed and revised from earlier versions, though concerns about certain provisions remain.
In the Senate, the Commerce Committee, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), is expected to consider its own set of online child safety bills after Congress returns from a two-week recess in mid-April. It is not yet clear which proposals will be included in the Senate package.
Industry Position
FSC has previously engaged with more than 50 congressional offices on issues related to banking fairness but has only recently expanded its outreach on age verification. As a trade association representing segments of the adult industry affected by age verification laws in the United States, the group presented members’ experiences with existing policies and discussed approaches that emphasize privacy and device-based verification.
How it Went
According to FSC, congressional offices from both parties engaged with the delegation’s concerns, including questions about the effectiveness of site-level verification and the privacy implications of requiring users to submit biometric data or government-issued identification. FSC said there was interest among staff in the concept of device-based verification systems. The organization expects to continue discussions and policy briefings in the coming months.
What About the SCREEN Act?
Prospects for federal children’s online safety legislation advancing this year remain uncertain. Congressional staff from both parties have indicated that interest in age verification is expected to continue into the next Congress, which begins in January 2027. As more states adopt age verification laws and the Federal Trade Commission signals potential rulemaking in this area, federal legislation is expected to remain under consideration. Future proposals could include reintroduction of the SCREEN Act or similar measures.
What’s Next?
FSC said it plans to continue outreach to congressional offices and work with other stakeholders, including parent organizations, privacy advocates, and technical experts, on approaches to age verification. The organization said it will provide updates to its members as discussions progress.
