Warning labels for explicit content, creating an explicit content label warning surcharge, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill requires explicit content distributors to provide prominent, clear, and conspicuous warning labels on explicit content. “Explicit content” is defined in the bill to mean visual, written, or auditory material that is all of the following: 1) intended for an adult audience; 2) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value; and 3) depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way. A “distributor” is defined as a person that provides, sells, or publishes explicit content for profit or as part of a commercial service. The warning label must use language that is substantially similar to the following: “WARNING :

This material contains explicit content that may be harmful or offensive. Viewer discretion is advised. Not intended for minors.” For explicit content in print publications, the bill requires distributors to provide the warning label in bold font of at least 20-point size on the cover, the front page, or the packaging of the explicit content. For explicit content on digital platforms, the bill requires distributors to provide the warning label in high-contrast, bolded text and requires that the warning label 1) appear before the user accesses the explicit content and remain visible to the user for at least 10 seconds or until the user acknowledges the warning label through interaction with the digital platform; and 2) occupy at least two-thirds of the user’s screen. In addition, distributors of explicit content on digital platforms must ensure that each piece of explicit content they provide contains in the explicit content’s metadata “WisconsinExplicitContentWarning.” The Department of Justice must investigate violations of the bill’s provisions, and DOJ may bring an action to recover a forfeiture or for injunctive relief. Before DOJ initiates an action, DOJ must provide the distributor with notice identifying the alleged violation. For an initial violation, a distributor is subject to a forfeiture of up to $2,500, except that, if the distributor cures the violation within 14 days of receiving the DOJ notice, the distributor is subject to a forfeiture of up to $500. For a second or subsequent violation, a distributor is subject to a forfeiture of twice the amount of the forfeiture imposed on the distributor for the most recent prior violation. If a court imposes a forfeiture for a violation, the court must also impose a surcharge in the amount of 50 percent of the amount of the forfeiture. The proceeds of the surcharge are appropriated to DOJ for investigation and enforcement of violations of the bill’s provisions.

Who's behind it

14 representatives are its authors⁠. 10 are Republicans and 4 are Democrats.

2 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DOJ

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo