Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

TOPEKA, Kan. — Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

SB 394, carried in the state House by Republican Rep. Susan Humphries, is now headed to the GOP-controlled Kansas House of Representatives for a full vote, expected in the next few days, Kansas’ Miami County Republic reported.

If passed, the bill would require age verification for accessing websites containing 25% or more content considered “harmful to minors” by the state.

Democrats warned that SB 394 would have a chilling effect on free speech in Kansas, and “could potentially stop teens from accessing classical works of art, books, LGBTQ material and other online content housed on websites, as well as potentially cost these websites thousands in legal fees,” the paper noted.

Democratic lawmakers also expressed concern that the bill would cost the state approximately $210,000 in fiscal year 2025 and $220,000 or more in fiscal 2026, to create new positions “to investigate websites,” the report added.

Humphries — whose pre-politics background is in marketing and Bible Studies workshops — dismissed these concerns, instead rallying her fellow Republicans with incendiary claims that pornography “normalizes violence and abuse against women and children,” and debunked pseudoscientific pronouncements about how porn may impact “brain development and functioning” and is “potentially biologically addictive.”

Expressing concern, Democratic Rep. Rui Xu warned of “unintended consequences,” noting that the current slew of age verification bills contains definitions that are “much broader than we actually think” and could lead to censorship of numerous works of art and literature.

Under the bill, the Miami County Republic noted, the attorney general would be empowered to investigate public reports of websites’ noncompliance and could seek civil penalties of $500 to $10,000 for each underage visit. 

“The parent or guardian of a minor who gained access to age-restricted websites would be allowed to file a lawsuit and seek damages of $50,000 or more,” the paper reported.

During the debate, Democrat Rep. John Carmichael stated, “We in America cherish our First Amendment rights. I’m sure all of us know people who have given their lives in defense of that First Amendment. And the fact that some people find some material harmful to minors that other people find to be a part of a good education should not mean that we erase materials that some parents may disagree with from the internet, or for that matter school curriculum.”

Main Image: Kansas Rep. Susan Humphries

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

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, the latest edition of Europe’s biggest adult industry conference, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel in Amsterdam.

Sara Jay, Dan Leal to Sponsor XBIZ Amsterdam Kick-Off Event

Sara Jay’s Wyde Syde Productions and Porno Dan Leal’s Market64 will co-sponsor the Bottoms Up Day Drinking kick-off event for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025 at Excalibur Café on Sept. 2, from 2-4 p.m. (CET).

AEBN Publishes Report on DP Trends

AEBN has published a report on DP and extreme penetration categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Free Speech Coalition Appoints Megan Stokes to Board of Directors

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it has appointed Megan Stokes to its Board of Directors.

FansRevenue Acquires DivaTraffic

FansRevenue has acquired web traffic service DivaTraffic.

Show More