SB 648 New Hampshire Senate · 2026 Regular Session

requiring age verification by commercial entities to allow access to pornographic material.

SB 648 requires websites and apps that profit from distributing material harmful to minors (defined as content appealing to prurient interest, depicting sexual conduct offensively, and lacking value for minors) to implement age verification. It mandates that commercial entities using reasonable methods (like government ID checks without storing data) verify users are 18+, post clear warnings, and not retain personal information. Parents or guardians can sue for up to $10,000 per violation if a minor accesses such content due to non-compliance, while the attorney general can seek $25,000 penalties. Exemptions include news organizations, libraries, museums, and educational institutions distributing content for legitimate purposes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Nov 25, 2025 Last action May 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced As Amended by the Senate · 5 edits
MODERATE
The Senate amendment narrowed the bill's scope by replacing the broader 'material harmful to minors' standard with a narrower 'pornographic material' definition, raised the content threshold from one-third to one-half of a site's total content, and eliminated the private right of action that would have allowed parents to sue websites for up to $10,000 per violation. Enforcement is now limited solely to the attorney general.
DEFINITION

Replaced the three-part 'material harmful to minors' definition (prurient interest, patently offensive sexual conduct, lacking serious value for minors) with a simpler 'pornographic material' definition: material depicting nudity or sexual acts for the purpose of sexual stimulation. Added clarifying language that nudity alone does not make material pornographic if its purpose is something else, and that it can take many media forms.

SCOPE

Raised the 'substantial portion' threshold from more than one-third to more than one-half of a website's total content being pornographic before age verification requirements apply. This means fewer websites would be covered by the law.

ENFORCEMENT

Eliminated the private right of action that allowed any parent or legal guardian to sue a commercial entity for damages up to $10,000 per violation, plus court costs and attorney's fees, if their minor accessed material due to a failure to verify age.

Removed the provision that explicitly barred commercial entities from claiming Section 230 immunity under the federal Communications Decency Act as a defense in civil actions arising from violations of this chapter.

Enforcement is now solely through the attorney general (injunctive relief and civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation). The original version had both private lawsuits by parents and state enforcement; the amended version removes the private litigation pathway entirely.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 1, 2026
Committee
Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/29/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 19 P. 10
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 04/21/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 9 P. 55
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1235s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced
Sen. Reardon Floor Amendment # 2026-1235s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Sen. Lang Moved Ought to Pass; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 03/26/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 11
upper
Nov 25, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Tara Reardon
Tara Reardon
DDemocratic
NH
15