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(Des Moines, IA) -- Legislation that would require pornographic website to verify identity is passing through an Iowa Senate committee. As written, Senate File 207 would allow the state's attorney general the authority to enforce the provisions through civil action, according to State Sen. Kevin Alons (R-Salix).
"Any citizen can raise the issue of a violation to the attorney general where there will be review and a determination," Alons says. "And maybe an escalation when enough issues are raised."
While the bill passed the committee with bipartisan support, some legislators say they're concerned about enforcement on international websites. State Sen. Liz Bennett (D-Cedar Rapids) is one of them.
"My concern is that there's nothing for a Russian website saying 'yeah, sure, upload this financial information we're verifying you,'" Bennett says. "You know, the AG of the state of Iowa really doesn't have the ability to go after a Ukrainian or a Russian platform."
The bill is now eligible for debate on the Iowa Senate floor with further amendment still possible.