This bill, Senate File No. 2105, proposes a new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325F, requiring age verification for websites that share or distribute material harmful to minors. The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Definitions:

   • Establishes key terms, including "commercial entity," "host," "material harmful to minors," and "age verification."
   • Defines harmful material as content that appeals to prurient interests, is patently offensive regarding minors, and lacks serious value for minors.

2. Age Verification Requirement:

   • Websites where at least 25% of viewed material contains content harmful to minors must verify that users from Minnesota are 18 years or older.
   • Acceptable age verification methods include:
     • A commercially available database used by businesses or government entities.
     • Any other age verification method approved by the commissioner of commerce.

3. Data Privacy:

   • Businesses must not retain any identifying information used for age verification.
   • Businesses that knowingly retain such data face liability for damages, including attorney fees.

4. Enforcement & Civil Penalties:

   • Individuals may report violations to the attorney general, who can investigate and take legal action.
   • Parents or legal guardians may sue entities that allow minors access without age verification, with possible penalties up to $25,000 per violation.

5. Limitations:

   • The bill does not apply to internet service providers (ISP) or users of interactive computer services.

This bill seeks to enhance consumer protection by restricting minors’ access to adult content and imposing legal consequences on entities that fail to implement proper age verification measures.