Restricting porn access, defining men and women on agenda for Alabama state lawmaker

By Alexander Willis & Alabama Daily News

State Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover

State Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover plans on introducing a new bill to restrict minors from accessing online pornography.

The Alabama Legislature’s 2024 session begins in three months and DuBose also intends on reintroducing the What Is a Woman Act, which would codify into law the definitions of men and women. The bill failed in the 2023 session.

Porn ID

DuBose told Alabama Daily News she intends on introducing next year what she called a “porn ID law,” which would require websites hosting pornographic material to verify the age of visitors before granting access.

“I’ve had parents and grandparents that come to me very concerned about their 10 to 12-year-old boys because they’re so engaged in their computers,” DuBose said. “We know statistically that (a majority) of 10 to 12 year olds have already seen porn on the internet; that’s how prevailing it is. It’s damaging and addictive to young minds.”

DuBose said that the bill would be similar to a bill approved this year by Louisiana lawmakers, which would fine pornographic websites up to $5,000 a day for not verifying the age of its users through a process that requires the submission of a photo ID. Similar laws have been passed in other states such as Arkansas and Mississippi, leading to some adult pornography websites pulling out of said states all together.