S.C. Governor Expected to Sign Age Verification Bill

COLUMBIA, S.C.—Republican Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina is expected to sign an age verification bill targeting adult entertainment platforms adopted by the state legislature. The most recent action on H. 3424 was on May 9, when the Senate adopted the measure in final votes and advanced it to Gov. McMaster's desk. South Carolina Daily Gazette, an outlet affiliated with States Newsroom, points out that if McMaster adopts H. 3424, a lawsuit is expected. This has been the case for other states. Civil society groups and trade organizations from across the country have filed federal lawsuits challenging a variety of age verification measures targeting both adult entertainment platforms and mainstream social media websites. Adult entertainment trade organization the Free Speech Coalition is one such group. The Daily Gazette alludes to this. AVN previously reported that only one lawmaker in the South Carolina House of Representatives voted against the measure. Rep. Justin Bamberg, a Democrat of Bamberg, voted against the bill in the House vote earlier in the legislative session and again on an amendment last week.