House Bill 599 Summary

• Defines "child pornography" as acts included in the definition of "sexually explicit conduct" under Section 97-5-31 and adds definition of "obscene matter" referencing Section 97-29-103(1).

• Creates civil liability for commercial entities that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute obscene matter or child pornography on the internet, allowing recovery of nominal damages, actual damages, noneconomic damages up to $500,000, court costs, and attorney fees.

• Allows punitive damages against commercial entities that violate these provisions under legal standards for punitive damages and permits individual claims to be combined into joinder or class actions.

• Exempts internet service providers, their affiliates and subsidiaries, search engines, and cloud service providers from liability when they are not responsible for content creation, and exempts bona fide news organizations and public interest broadcasts.

• Effective date: July 1, 2025; includes severability clause to preserve remaining provisions if any portion is found unconstitutional.