Louisiana HB 142 (Age Verification)
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In force since January 2023●●● High threatUpdated January 1, 2023
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateBecame Law
The first age-verification law for adult content, the 2022 Louisiana bill that every other state copied.
IntroducedMarch 1, 2022
Latest actionIn force since January 2023 (January 1, 2023)
What it does
Louisiana's law makes sites with a large share of material harmful to minors verify visitors are 18, and lets private citizens sue sites that do not. It introduced the model of showing government ID to view lawful online content.
Why it matters
Louisiana passed this in 2022, and by 2025 more than 25 states had their own version. Texas HB 1181, the one the Supreme Court upheld, is a direct descendant. This is where the age-verification wave began.
Our take
One small state law in 2022 turned into a national regime. The model it introduced, ID to see legal content, is now spreading from adult sites to social media and app stores. The precedent did more damage than the law itself.
Votes
- House — Final passage (96 to 1) · April 26, 2022
- Senate — Final passage (34 to 0)
Related bills
IssuesAge Verification
Our coverage: all age-verification stories