S.F. No. 5518 Summary

• Requires website operators who knowingly share or distribute material harmful to minors on 25 percent or more of webpages in any calendar month to verify users are 18 years old or older if they are Minnesota residents or located in Minnesota.

• Age verification must use commercially available databases regularly used by businesses or governmental entities, or other commercially reasonable methods approved by the Commissioner of Commerce.

• Prohibits retention of identifying information submitted during age verification; violations make operators liable to individuals for damages including reasonable attorney fees and costs.

• Establishes enforcement mechanisms allowing the Attorney General to investigate violations and recover civil penalties, and allows parents or legal guardians of minors to bring civil actions recovering damages up to $25,000 per violation plus attorney fees and equitable relief.

• Exempts Internet service providers and users of interactive computer services from obligations or liability under the law.