HB 1116 Summary

• Authorizes Mississippi to enter into an interstate compact with southern states (Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, and Oklahoma) to ban internet and web-based pornographic content regulated under federal obscenity law (18 USCS Section 1460, et seq.)

• Requires retailers of internet-enabled devices to equip products with active filters that block by default websites facilitating child pornography, revenge pornography, obscene material harmful to minors, and other sexually explicit content; allows blocking capability to be disabled.

• Establishes the Interstate Commission on Obscenities Prohibition composed of each state's governor (ex officio) and four additional citizens per state appointed by the governor, including at least one state legislator, with officers including chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer.

• Compact becomes binding upon Mississippi and other states once six or more states provide legislative approval within 18 months; additional states may join within two years thereafter; any state may withdraw with two years' notice after legislative approval.

• Takes effect July 1, 2020.