HB393 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arnold MooneyRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Consumer protection; distributors of material harmful to children required to use age-verification procedures
Summary: HB393 would ban online distribution of material harmful to minors under 18 and require age verification to access it, while prohibiting retention of verification data and creating civil penalties for violations.
What This Bill Does
Prohibits online distribution of material harmful to minors under 18 and requires reasonable age-verification methods to access such material. Distributors that perform online age verification may not retain any personally identifying information of the user after access is granted. Creates civil liability for violations, including actual and punitive damages, with the Attorney General able to recover damages on behalf of individuals; sets an effective date of October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects
Commercial entities that publish or distribute online material harmful to minors would face liability if they fail to use reasonable age-verification methods.
Individuals (including minors and their guardians) who access the material or whose information is mishandled could seek damages, and the Attorney General may pursue damages on their behalf.

Key Provisions
Prohibits online distribution of material harmful to minors to anyone under 18 and requires reasonable age-verification methods to access such material.
Distributors performing online age verification may not retain any personally identifying information of the individual after access is granted.
Establishes civil liability for violations, including actual and punitive damages, and allows the Attorney General to recover damages on behalf of individuals.
Exempts bona fide news-gathering organizations and certain communications providers; sets an effective date of October 1, 2024.

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