HJR232 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben RobbinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

CREATING THE JOINT INTERIM STUDY COMMISSION ON PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY.

Summary

Creates a joint interim study commission to examine how to protect Alabama children from internet pornography and related online harms, and to draft proposed legislation.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Joint Interim Study Commission on Protecting Children from Internet Pornography. It defines its membership from various authorities and organizations, with the possibility of one additional member by majority vote, and requires diversity in appointments. The commission will study ways to prevent children's access to online pornography, safeguard social media use, address mental health issues from online activity, and consider cybersecurity and civil liberties, and it must present proposed legislation by the third legislative day of the 2024 Regular Session; the commission dissolves after presenting its findings. Legislative members receive compensation and per diem; nonlegislative members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for expenses, and administrative support is provided by state legislative staff.

Who It Affects

• Children and families in Alabama, who would be affected by proposed measures to reduce exposure to online pornography and improve online safety.
• State policymakers and organizations involved in appointing and participating in the commission (e.g., House and Senate leaders, Department of Mental Health, Attorney General, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Alabama Cable and Broadband Association), who will coordinate appointments, provide support, and draft the related proposed legislation.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Joint Interim Study Commission on Protecting Children from Internet Pornography.
• Specifies members to be appointed by various authorities and organizations (House Judiciary Chair, Senate Judiciary Chair, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Department of Mental Health, Attorney General, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Senate Minority Leader, Alabama Cable and Broadband Association, plus any additional member by majority vote).
• Requires appointing authorities to coordinate appointments to ensure diversity in race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economy.
• The Speaker of the House shall call the first meeting; members elect a chair and vice chair from among themselves; may meet as needed.
• Legislative members receive compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for meetings; nonlegislative members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
• Administrative support is provided by the Legislative Services Agency, Clerk of the House, and Secretary of the Senate.
• The commission will draft a proposal for legislation to protect children online, including preventing exposure to pornography, safeguarding social media use, addressing mental health issues from online activity, and addressing cybersecurity and civil liberties.
• Not later than the third legislative day of the 2024 Regular Session, the commission must present its findings as proposed legislation.
• The commission dissolves after presenting its findings and has no further duties or liabilities.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Interim Study Commission on Protecting Children from Internet Pornography, created