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AB-392 • 2026

Pornographic internet websites: consent.

Pornographic internet websites: consent.

Children
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Dixon
Last action
Official status
Senate - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states users certify 'not under penalty of perjury,' which differs from standard legal oaths but still carries an infraction penalty if knowingly false.

AB-392: Rules for Uploading Sexually Explicit Content Online

This law requires websites hosting sexually explicit content to verify user emails and get a statement from users confirming that everyone shown is an adult who agreed to be filmed and uploaded.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires website operators to use ordinary care and reasonable diligence to ensure no depicted individuals appear without consent in sexually explicit content.
  • Mandates users submit a statement certifying, not under penalty of perjury, that everyone shown was an adult at the time of creation, consented to being recorded, and consents to the upload.
  • Makes it illegal for users to knowingly lie in their certification statements by creating a new infraction punishable by a fine as specified.
  • Requires website operators to verify a user's email address before allowing them to upload sexually explicit content.
  • Allows people shown in the content or public prosecutors to file civil lawsuits if these rules are broken.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Operators of internet websites that host pornographic material
  • Users who want to upload sexually explicit content to those websites
  • Individuals depicted in sexually explicit online content

Terms To Know

Sexually Explicit Content
Material defined by the bill that is uploaded to pornographic internet websites.
Depicted Individual
Any person who appears in the sexually explicit content being uploaded, as defined by the bill.
Infraction
A minor offense punishable by a fine that this bill creates for lying on certification statements.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The text states no state reimbursement is required for local agencies, though it mentions this applies for a specified reason without detailing what that reason is.
  • The exact dollar amount of fines for the new infraction is not listed in the summary.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Pornographic internet websites: consent.