Tri County News

State Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) has thrown her support behind "The Innocence Act," a newly introduced legislation aimed at preventing minors from viewing sexually explicit material on the internet in Ohio. Powell has signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasizing the need to protect children in the state.

In an official statement, Powell stated, "It's crucial we protect children in our state. We have to take a stand and fight against pornographic material being easily accessible to our children."

The proposed legislation seeks to implement a more rigorous age verification process for accessing adult content online. Under the bill, pornography distributors would face charges of a third-degree felony if they fail to verify the age of a person accessing their content. Additionally, minors who attempt to access sexually explicit material by falsifying their identity would be charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Another important aspect of "The Innocence Act" is its prohibition of the sale of deepfakes engaged in sexual acts. Deepfakes refer to the manipulation of facial appearances through artificial intelligence to create visual and audio content. The dissemination of sexual deepfakes would be charged as a third-degree felony.

The legislation has gained significant support, with over 20 co-sponsors already on board. Currently, it awaits its committee assignment before further progress can be made.

"The Innocence Act" addresses a growing concern regarding the easy accessibility of pornography to minors in Ohio. By imposing stricter age verification measures and cracking down on the sale of sexual deepfakes, the bill aims to safeguard the innocence and well-being of children.

In conclusion, Representative Jena Powell's support for "The Innocence Act" highlights the importance of protecting children from exposure to sexually explicit material online. The proposed legislation's focus on age verification and the prohibition of sexual deepfakes demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the well-being and innocence of Ohio's youth.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://ohiohouse.gov/members/jena-powell/news/powell-supports-the-innocence-act-117314