S.D. Governor Adopts AV Law With Criminal Penalties

PIERRE, S.D.—Gov. Larry Rhoden, a Republican, adopted House Bill (HB) 1053 on Thursday. HB 1053, championed by far-right state Rep. Bethany Soye, is an age verification law that explicitly targets adult entertainment platforms and threatens misdemeanor and felony criminal charges for violators of the law. “As parents, we just want to protect our kids. But technology moves so fast that it often seems impossible,” Rhoden said in a press statement. “I signed a bill to require age verification by websites containing material that is harmful to minors. I will continue to find ways to keep South Dakota safe for our kids.” South Dakota is now the 20th state to adopt age verification laws and only the second to do so with criminal penalties, following Tennessee.