Tennessee AV Bill With Felony Charges Passes House

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—An age verification bill that would make violating it a felony has advanced through its final step in the Tennessee state legislature.  The bill, Senate Bill (SB) 1792, advanced through the House on its third reading Wednesday, 96-0. It was proposed by Republican state Sen. Becky Massey, with a House companion bill, House Bill 1614, introduced by Republican state Rep. Patsy Hazlewood. Now, the bill is expected to go to the desk of Gov. Bill Lee, who is poised to sign it into law. "This bill provides that an individual or commercial entity that publishes or distributes in this state a website that contains 10 percent or more of [the] total content on a website that is content harmful to minors commits a Class C felony and is liable if they do not [comply with the age verification requirements]," reads a summary of the bill. "Under present law, a Class C felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than three years but no more than 15 years, and a jury is authorized to assess a fine no more than $10,000."