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SB 648 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Age verification for porn websites

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring age verification by commercial entities to allow access to pornographic material.

Requires commercial entities operating websites or applications that publish a substantial portion of pornographic material to implement age verification procedures and authorizes the attorney general to enforce compliance.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires a person that owns, operates, or controls a website or application for commercial purposes and publishes or distributes a substantial portion of material that is pornographic to implement age verification procedures. This bill also authorizes the attorney general to enforce such requirements against commercial entities for violations of such requirements.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Pornographic material" means material that depicts nudity or sexual acts for the purpose of sexual stimulation.”
RSA 507-J:1
“A commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes pornographic material on the Internet shall:”
RSA 507-J:2
“The attorney general may bring an action for injunctive relief and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation against any commercial entity in violation of this chapter.”
RSA 507-J:3
“No commercial entity or third-party age verification provider shall retain, store, or sell any personal information used to verify age under this chapter.”
RSA 507-J:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Tara ReardonDPrime

Public testimony

27 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

22% support74% oppose4% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“It will be an inconvenience to adults accessing the content.”
— Cory Stone, DOVERopposes
“This bill is harmful to residents of the state and does not actually protect children, it restricts adults.…”
— Brian Fleagle, Londonderryopposes
“This age verification bill is nothing more than a way turn New Hampshire into a surveillance state”
— Adam Normandin, Milfordopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyfailed
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Reardon Floor Amendment # 2026-1235sadopted
  • Mar 26, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1235sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 29, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary58:55–1:00:271m 32slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateSenate floor2:37:24–2:42:445m 20slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — failed, voice vote; Sen. Lang Moved Ought to Pass
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:12:25–1:14:512m 26slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs43:17–46:363m 19slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
  2. Jan 8, 2026SenHearing: 01/08/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 47
  3. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/26/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 11
  4. Mar 26, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MF, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  5. Mar 26, 2026SenSen. Lang Moved Ought to Pass; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  6. Mar 26, 2026SenSen. Reardon Floor Amendment # 2026-1235s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  7. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1235s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  8. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 9 P. 55
  9. Apr 7, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/07/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  10. Apr 8, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  11. Apr 21, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/21/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  12. Apr 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  13. Apr 29, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/29/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 19 P. 10
  14. May 14, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.