Interstate Obscenity Definition Act
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify the legal definition of "obscene" visual content (like images, videos, or graphic files) used in interstate communications. It defines obscenity as material that, taken as a whole: (1) appeals to prurient interest in sex/nudity, (2) depicts sexual acts with intent to arouse, and (3) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. The bill directly affects online platforms, content creators, and law enforcement by establishing a specific standard for prosecuting obscenity under federal law. It does not create new penalties but refines the existing legal test for determining what constitutes illegal obscene material.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jun 18, 2024
Last action Jun 18, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jun 18, 2024
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
upper
Jun 18, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mike Lee
RRepublican
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