Interstate Obscenity Definition Act

Bill: 117-s-5260
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2022-12-14
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Latest action: action_date: 2022-12-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-12-14
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Interstate Obscenity Definition Act</b></p> <p>This bill expands the prohibition on transmitting obscene content via interstate or foreign communications by providing for a broader definition of <i>obscenity</i> in statute and eliminating a requirement that obscene content be transmitted with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5260 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 14, 2022 Mr. Lee introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To define obscenity for purposes of the Communications Act of 1934, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act . 2. Defining obscenity (a) Definition (1) In general Section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 153 ) is amended— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (38) through (59) as paragraphs (39) through (60), respectively; and (B) by inserting after paragraph (37) the following: (38) Obscene; obscenity (A) In general The term obscene or obscenity , when used in a manner or context that explicitly refers to, or could apply to, a picture, image, graphic image file, film, videotape, or other visual depiction, includes a picture, image, graphic image file, film, videotape, or other visual depiction that— (i) taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; (ii) depicts, describes, or represents, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or lewd exhibition of the genitals, with the objective intent to arouse, titillate, or gratify the sexual desires of a person; and (iii) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. (B) Sexual act; sexual contact For purposes of subparagraph (A), the terms sexual act and sexual contact have the meanings given those terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code. . (2) Technical and conforming amendment Section 271(c)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 271(c)(1)(A) ) is amended by striking section 3(47)(A) and inserting section 3(55)(A) . (b) Obscene or harassing telephone calls in the District of Columbia or in interstate or foreign communications Section 223(a)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1)(A) ) is amended, in the undesignated matter following clause (ii), by striking , with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass another person .