S 4571 United States Senate · 118th Congress

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
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2
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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
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P
Photo of Mike Lee
Mike Lee
RRepublican
UT
n/a