Montana Bill Would Allow Counties, Cities to Enact Obscenity Ordinances

HELENA, Mont. — A bill proposed by the Montana Citizens for Decency Through Law would allow counties and cities to enact their own obscenity ordinances.

Dallas Erickson, head of the group that originally wrote and submitted the idea, told XBIZ that the bill could be decided upon as early as next week and would allow communities to pass laws more restrictive than those of the state of Montana.

Rep. Ron Stoker, R-Darby, is sponsoring the bill. He was unavailable for comment at press time.

Erickson’s main concern is access to and dissemination of “harmful materials” to minors. The bill would require stores selling adult materials — both hardcore and softcore — to hide covers and move them to “out of sight and out of reach” areas.

The addition of softcore materials, including Hustler and Penthouse, is new, expanding the definition of obscenity in the state.

Erickson said the current law only applies to businesses and that “molesters can still show [obscene material to kids].” The change would make it a crime for anyone to show obscene material to minors.

Erickson also said any resident of the county or city can draft an ordinance, but “they’d better know what they’re doing to make it constitutional.”

He stressed that no proposed ordinance that is considered unconstitutional will be accepted. For example, charging facilities for prominently featuring R-rated films or the swimsuit editions of sports magazines cannot be considered harmful to minors.

Libraries and theaters will not be required to hide or remove mainstream content featuring nudity, such as National Geographic, and Erickson said worrying that they’d be charged for providing such content to minors is “silly.”

“No [library or theater] has ever been charged with obscenity,” Erickson said. Materials with “serious literary, scientific, artistic or political value for minors” are exempt from the definition.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Show More