South Dakota Republicans Admit Age Verification is Part of National Campaign Against Online 'Filth'

South Dakota Republicans Admit Age Verification is Part of National Campaign Against Online 'Filth'

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota House Judiciary Committee last week voted unanimously to endorse the state’s copycat version of the age verification legislation being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, which the bill’s backers have described as part of a national campaign to fight online “filth.”

HB 1257 was introduced by Republican Rep. Bethany Soye, who cited a 2017 resolution recognizing “the public health crisis created by pornography in this state,” claiming without any scientific backing that adult content is an “epidemic that is harming the people of our state and our country as a whole.”

From 2016 until the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, an actual health crisis, anti-porn activists and politicians passed a series of proclamations in red states, claiming the existence of a supposed “porn epidemic.”

Soye cited this largely debunked notion, then noted that eight states have already passed laws along the same lines as her proposal, local news station KELO reported.

The committee session was dominated by religious conservatives, and a representative of the well-funded, pro-censorship national right-wing lobby group the American Principles Project was invited to the hearing to endorse the bill.

Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach openly acknowledged that HB 1257 is “part of a national movement pushing back on what he described as ‘this kind of filth,’” KELO reported.

Republican Rep. Rebecca Reimer expressed satisfaction that a similar measure in North Carolina had resulted in Pornhub blocking access to its site for all users regardless of age.

“It seems to be working,” Reimer stated.

Soye, whose pre-politics background is in banking regulation, recently told South Dakota’s religious conservative lobby Family Voice, also known as Family Heritage Alliance, that she considers the entire adult industry “predatory,” claiming without evidence, “This multi-billion-dollar monster is targeting our kids.”

Main Image: South Dakota State Rep. Bethany Soye.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

Show More