Federal & State Obscenity Laws Outlined

Federal Obscenity Laws

Federal obscenity laws, which are not being enforced, prohibit distribution of hardcore, obscene pornography on the Internet, on cable/satellite or hotel/motel TV and in sexually oriented businesses and other retail shops.

The 93 U.S. Attorneys (each state has at least one) enforce the Federal obscenity laws. FBI Agents, Postal Inspectors and Customs Officers investigate violations of Federal obscenity laws.

47 U.S.C. 223 Making an obscene communication by means of telephone

Sections 1462 and 1465 cited above also prohibit distribution of obscenity on the Internet.

The role of the Federal Government should be, as it has been in the past, to prosecute the major producers and distributors of obscene pornography. However, rather than aggressively enforcing federal obscenity laws against large-scale distributors of obscene pornography, for several years the Department of Justice has targeted primarily small operations that trafficked in the most extreme hardcore pornography and prosecuted very few of them. Thus, illegal, obscene pornography is flooding our nation and the harm is great. Much can be done to turn this tide.

State Obscenity Laws

(last updated Summer 2012)

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Alabama

Obscenity Statutes
Ala. Code §§ 13A-12-190 – 198; Ala. Code § 13A-12-200.1 – § 13A-12-200.12.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No Statute

Alaska

Obscenity Statutes
No general obscenity statute, but several obscenity statutes regarding minors:
Alaska Stat. §§ 11.61.123 – 11.61.129; Alaska Stat. §§ 11.41.455 -11.41.468.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute
Bill introduced, but not enacted: 2007 Bill Text AK H.B. 353

Arizona

Obscenity Statutes
Title 13, Chapter 35:
A.R.S. § 13-3501 through A.R.S. § 13-3561; A.R.S. § 38-448; A.R.S. §§ 13-401 – 13-403.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
A.R.S. §§ 34-501 – 502, amended by 2012 Ariz. HB 2712.
Strength = Strong for schools and libraries

Arkansas

Obscenity Statutes
A.C.A. §§ 5-68-201 – 205; A.C.A. §§ 5-68-501 – 502; A.C.A. §§ 5-68-301 – 308; A.C.A. §§ 5-68-402 – 406; A.C.A. §§ 5-27-401 – 405; A.C.A. §§ 5-27-302 – 306; A.C.A. §§ 5-27-601 – 608. (see also A.C.A. §§ 5-68-407 – 416; mainly procedural information w/ regard to obscenity prosecutions).

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
A.C.A. § 6-21-111; § 6-21-107, § 13-2-103
Strength = Moderate for schools and libraries

California

Obscenity Statutes
Title 9, Chapter 7.5: Cal. Penal Code § 311-312.7.
Title 9, Chapter 7.6: Cal. Penal Code § 313-313.5.
Title 9, Chapter 8: Cal. Penal Code § 314-318.6
Cal. Penal Code § 1417.8; § 13021; § 5402; § 288.2; § 968

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Cal. Ed. Code § 18030.5
Strength = Weak for libraries; no statute for school computers

Colorado

Obscenity Statutes
C.R.S. §§ 18-7-101 – 104.5. (see also C.R.S. § 18-7-208; C.R.S. § 18-7-302)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
C.R.S. § 24-90-404; § 24-90-603; § 22-87-101 – 107.
Strength = Moderate to Strong

Connecticut

Obscenity Statutes
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-193 – 200.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No Statute

Delaware

Obscenity Statutes
11 Del C. §§ 1361-1366. (see also 24 Del. C. § 1606).

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
29 Del. C. §§ 6601C-6607C
Strength = Weak and there is no statute for schools

District of Columbia

Obscenity Statutes
D.C. Code § 22-2201. (see also D.C. Code §§ 22-3101 – 3104; § 22-1312; § 34-1264.01; § 22-3312.01; § 5-115.06; § 9-1154).

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No Statute

Florida

Obscenity Statutes
Fla. Stat. §§ 847.001-.202; § 823.13 (see also § 827.071; § 933.03; § 1013.22; § 847.0134; § 320.0805; § 933.02)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Fla. Stat. § 257.12 (3). (Encourages public libraries to adopt an Internet safety education program, but no filter requirements)
Strength = Weak, basically no statute for either

Georgia

Obscenity Statutes
O.C.G.A. §§ 16-12-80 – 105. (see also O.C.G.A. § 36-60-3; § 46-5-22).

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324 (public schools), § 20-5-5 (public libraries)
Strength = Strong

Hawaii

Obscenity Statutes
HRS §§ 712-1210 – 1219.5.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No Statute

Idaho

Obscenity Statutes
Idaho Code §§ 18-4101 – 4116 (2010); §§ 18-1513 – 1521; § 19-1428

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Idaho Code § 33-2741 (library); § 33-132 (school)
Strength = Moderate

Illinois

Obscenity Statutes
§§ 720 ILCS 5/11-20 – 30 (2010). (see also §§ 720 ILCS 135/1-1 – 2)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No Statute

Indiana

Obscenity Statutes
Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 35-49-1-1 – § 35-49-3-4. (see also § 31-34-1-4)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Buns Ind. Code Ann. § 36-12-1-12 (library)
Strength = Weak, basically no statute

Iowa

Obscenity Statutes
Iowa Code §§ 728.1-.15.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Iowa Code § 256.57
Strength = Weak, basically no statute

Kansas

Obscenity Statutes
K.S.A. §§ 21-6401 – 6402. (21-4301 was repealed)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

Kentucky

Obscenity Statutes
KRS §§ 531.010-.370.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
KRS § 156.675 (schools)
Strength = strong for schools; no statute for libraries

Louisiana

Obscenity Statutes
La. R.S. 14:106 – 14:106.3; La. R.S.14:283; La. R.S. 14:19.11; La. R.S. 32:378.1 (see also La R.S. 14:89; 46:1845; 14:81.1.1)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
La. R.S. § 17:100.7 (schools)
La. R.S. § 51:1426 (Requires Internet service providers to make available to subscribers who are Louisiana residents a product or service that enables the subscriber to control a child’s use of the Internet.)
Strength = Moderate for schools; no statute for libraries

Maine

Obscenity Statutes
17 M.R.S. §§ 2911 – 2913

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

Maryland

Obscenity Statutes
Md. CRIMINAL LAW Code Ann. §§ 11-201 – 11-211; §§ 11-101 – 107. (see also § 3-805).

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Md. EDUCATION Code Ann. 23 § 506.1
Md. COMMERCIAL LAW Code Ann. §§ 14-3701 – 3705 (Requires Internet service providers to make parental controls that enable blocking or filtering of websites available to subscribers in the state.)
Strength = Weak for libraries; no statute for schools

Massachusetts

Obscenity Statutes
ALM GL ch. 272, §§ 29-30D; §§ 31-35A (see also ALM GL ch. 6, § 101)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
ALM GL ch. 71, 93
Strength = Weak for schools; no statute for libraries

Michigan

Obscenity Statutes
MCLS § 752.361-.370; MCLS § 750.142-.143; 722.675-.677;

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
MCLS § 397.602, § 397.606
Strength = Weak for libraries; no statute for schools

Minnesota

Obscenity Statutes
Minn. Stat. §§ 617.241-.299. (see also § 609B.540; 37.18)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Minn. Stat. § 125B.15 (K5 – 12th grade schools); § 134.50 (public libraries)
Strength = Moderate

Mississippi

Obscenity Statutes
Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-29-45, §§ 97-29-101 – 109; § 97-5-27; § 97-5-29; § 97-5-31; § 97-5-33. (see also § 97-29-59; § 97-29-63; § 97-29-61; § 97-29-65; § 19-5-103; § 45-33-23; § 37-43-31)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

Missouri

Obscenity Statutes
§§ 573.010-.100 R.S.Mo.; §§ 573.500-.537 R.S.Mo. (see also § 560.080 R.S.Mo.)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
§§ 182.825-.827 R.S.Mo.
Strength = Moderate to strong

Montana

Obscenity Statutes
Mont. Code Anno. §§ 45-8-201 – 208. (see also Mont. Code Anno. § 45-5-504)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

Nebraska

Obscenity Statutes
R.R.S. Neb. § 28-805 – § 28-813.02; (see also R.R.S. Neb. § 28-821; § 28-826; § 28-827; § 28-833; §28-351)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No Statute

Nevada

Obscenity Statutes
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 201.235-.254; Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 201.256-.2655. (see also Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 201.220; § 207.180)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 603.100 – § 603.170 (Requires Internet service providers to offer, under certain circumstances, products or services that enable subscribers to regulate and monitor a child’s use of the Internet.)
Strength = No statute regarding schools or libraries

New Hampshire

Obscenity Statutes
RSA 650:1-6; RSA 649-A – 649-B-6. (see also RSA 645:1)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
RSA 194:3-d (schools)
Strength = Moderate for schools; no statute for libraries

New Jersey

Obscenity Statutes
N.J. Stat. §§ 2C:34-2 – 7. (see also N.J. Stat. § 2C:24-4; §§ 2C:33-12.1 – 12.2; § 2C:14-4)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

New Mexico

Obscenity Statutes
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-37-1 to § 30-37-10; § 30-38-1 to § 30-38-2.
(see also N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-9-20; §§ 30-9-14 – 14.3; 30-9-1; §§ 30-6A-1 – 4; § 30-6-3; § 3-18-17; § 30-20-12; § 32A-4-2)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

New York

Obscenity Statutes
NY CLS Penal §§ 235.00-24; NY CLS Penal §§ 263.00-.30 (see also NY CLS Penal § 410.00; §§ 245.00-.02; NY CLS Agr & M § 288; NY CLS Penal §§ 245.10-11)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
NY CLS Educ § 260 (12) (only requires trustees of libraries to create internet use policy); (see also un-passed bill: 2009 Legis. Bill Hist. NY S.B. 1489)
Strength = Weak for libraries; no statute for schools

North Carolina

Obscenity Statutes
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-190.1 to § 14-190.15. (see also N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-190.16 – .17A; § 19-1)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

North Dakota

Obscenity Statutes
N.D. Cent. Code, § 12.1-27.1-01 to § 12.1-27.1- 03.3; § 12.1-27.2-01 to § 12.1-27.2-06; § 12.1-26-1-12. (see also N.D. Cent. Code, § 12.1-20-05.1.; N.D. Cent. Code, § 40-05-17; § 11-11-62; § 12.1-06.1-01)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

Ohio

Obscenity Statutes
ORC Ann. § 2907.01; ORC Ann. §§ 2907.31-.41. (see also ORC Ann. 503.52; 519.02; 2907.09; 109.40; 2919.22)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
ORC Ann. 3314.21 (internet-based schools); ORC Ann. 3375.64 (public libraries)
Strength = Weak; no statute for non Internet-based schools or any libraries

Oklahoma

Obscenity Statutes
(Title 21, Chapter 39) 21 Okl. St. § 1021 to § 1025; 2

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Oklahoma 1996 H.C.R. 1097 (uncodified) (schools); no statute for librarires, but see 2007 Bill Text OK H.B. 1715. (see also 21 Okl. St. § 1040.80)
Strength = Moderate for schools; No statute for libraries

Oregon

Obscenity Statutes
ORS §§ 167.051-.100.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

Pennsylvania

Obscenity Statutes
18 Pa.C.S. § 5903; 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301; (see also 18 Pa.C.S. § 6318, § 5901; 68 Pa.C.S. §§ 5501-5509.)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
24 P.S. §§ 4601-4612.
Strength = Strong

Rhode Island

Obscenity Statutes
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-31-1 to § 11-31-13. (see also R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-19-8; § 11-9-1; § 12-27-1 to § 12-27-12; § 12-5-8; § 5-22-5)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
No statute

South Carolina

Obscenity Statutes
S.C. Code Ann. § 16-15-305 – § 16-15-445; § 16-15-250; § 16-15-3885; § 57-25-20.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
S.C. Code Ann. § 10-1-205, § 10-1-206.
Strength = Weak for libraries; no explicit statute for schools (unclear)

South Dakota

Obscenity Statutes
S.D. Codified Laws § 22-24-1.1 – § 22-24-68; § 22-24A-1 to § 22-24A-20; § 9-29-9; § 23A-36-1 – § 23A-36-10. (see also S.D. Codified Laws § 22-22-7 to § 22-22-47; § 22-24B-1; §§ 21-8-16 – 18.

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
S.D. Codified Laws § 22-24-55 to § 22-24-59.
Strength = Strong

Tennessee

Obscenity Statutes
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-901 to § 39-17-914; §§ 39-17-1001 – 1008. (see also Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-7-105; § 55-8-187)

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-221.
Strength = Moderate for schools; No statute for libraries

Texas

Obscenity Statutes
Tex. Penal Code § 43.21 to § 43.27; Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 321.101; (see also Tex. Alco. Bev. Code § 101.64; 104.01; Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 321.001; § 321.052; Tex. Local Gov’t Code §§ 243.001 -.011 )

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §§ 323.001 – .003. (Requires an interactive computer service provider to place a link to free or shareware filtering software conspicuously on the first accessible web page of the service provider. Establishes a civil penalty of $2,000 for each day the provider fails to comply.)
Strength = No Statute

Utah

Obscenity Statutes
Utah Code Ann. § 10-8-41 – 41.5, §§ 76-10-1201 – 1212. (see also Utah Code Ann. § 67-5-18; § 67-5-1.5; § 76-9-702 )

Filtering Statutes in Libraries and Schools
Utah Code Ann. § 9-7-215 – 216; Utah Code Ann. § 53A-3-422 – 423.
Utah Code § 76-10-1231 (Requires Internet service providers, upon request by a consumer, to provide in-network filtering or filtering software to prevent transmission of material harmful to minors.)
Strength = Moderate to strong

Federal & State Obscenity Laws Outlined

State Obscenity Laws

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