Missouri Lawmaker Wants to Require Porn Filters at ISP Level

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—As state lawmakers across the country pre-file bills for legislative sessions beginning in January of next year, a Republican in the Missouri Senate has introduced legislation that would require internet service providers to filter adult content. Senate Bill (SB) 1084, also known as the Protect Young Minds Online Act, was introduced by Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin. According to language in the bill, internet service providers (ISPs) throughout the state will be required to offer an opt-in-opt-out option to subscribers that enable a filter of websites that are defined as "obscene" in the Brattin bill.  Obscenity is defined as "material or internet content which is or contains child pornography, explicit sexual material, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct, sexually explicit conduct, or sexual performance," as defined in section 573.010. According to the Revisor of Missouri, Section 573.010 is the statute defining obscenity within the state of Missouri. Age verification legislation is expected to be introduced in Missouri's next legislative session as well. Pre-file variations of the bill have it at simply two pages, broadly covering all internet service providers in the state. AT&T Fiber, Verizon, T-Mobile and Spectrum are some of the largest ISPs in the Show Me State.