Va. bill would require filter on phones, computers to limit access to 'obscene content' | WCHS

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RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- A bill being proposed in the Virginia House of Delegates is looking to reduce trafficking by making pornography less accessible on the Internet.

House Bill 1592, also known as the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, would require a filter for providers of devices that have access to the Internet, like your phone or computer.

Users, who are of legal age, would have to pay a $20 fee to remove the filter on any new device they buy.

"By public education, the next generation is very well informed that exploitation has consequences," Jessica Neely, a human trafficking survivor told WRIC in Richmond. "Endorsing this bill, getting behind it and making sure it passes, your state — Virginia — makes the choice that girls like myself can choose recovery."

Opponents of the bill believe it would impact freedom of the Internet.

Supporters said that users who never access obscene content would not notice a difference and that it would also prevent minors from stumbling upon the content.