Porn restrictions in the US explained by state
Understand the laws in your state for accessing adult content, and what to do about it for your privacy
Unfortunately, many US states are rolling out legal restrictions on accessing adult content. Unlike other countries, this is taking a state-by-state approach. So travelling a couple miles will mean you'll have access to a totally different internet. Unless you comply with age verification requirements that demand you give your personal information over to unregulated third parties.
This is not protection: it's surveillance and anti-privacy. We should be able to view legal content online without revealing out identity to vulnerable data collection systems.
The best way to resolve this problem is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). But choosing the right one is crucial, which is where NymVPN comes with advanced privacy protections to protect your identity, no matter what you do online.
What is a VPN?
Understanding U.S. state laws regarding porn
It's not a free country when your freedom to information is different in 50 different locales.
It's crucial to know where you might be affected. So here's a breakdown thanks to U.S. porn restriction status by state (updated by Nym in August 2025)
Legend
- High: Enacted law or regulations for restricting adult content (active or takes effect in 2025)
- Medium: State Introduced laws which passed chamber but are not enacted
- Low: No statewide laws regarding restricting adult content
Porn restrictions status by US state
US State | Status | Bill / effective date | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Enacted | HB 164 — Oct 1, 2024 | High |
Alaska | Low | ||
Arizona | Enacted (effective soon) | HB 2112 — Sep 25, 2025 | High |
Arkansas | Enacted | SB 66 / Act 612 — Jul 31, 2023 | High |
California | Low | ||
Colorado | Failed (2025 session) | SB 25‑201 — postponed | Low |
Connecticut | Low | ||
Delaware | Low | ||
Florida | Enacted | HB 3 — Jan 1, 2025 | High |
Georgia | Related law (social media age checks) | SB 351 — not porn‑specific | Medium |
Hawaii | Introduced (2025) | HB 1198 / HB 1212 | Medium |
Idaho | Enacted | H 498 — Jul 1, 2024 | High |
Illinois | Failed (2025 session) | HB 1103; SB 2082 | Low |
Indiana | Enacted | SB 17 — Aug 16, 2024 | High |
Iowa | Moving (2025) | SF 207/443; HF 864 — progressed | Medium |
Kansas | Enacted | SB 394 — Jul 1, 2024 | High |
Kentucky | Enacted | HB 278 — Jul 15, 2024 | High |
Louisiana | Enacted | Act 440 — Jan 1, 2023; HB 77 — Aug 1, 2023 | High |
Maine | Low | ||
Maryland | Failed (2025 session) | HB 1212 | Low |
Massachusetts | Low | ||
Michigan | Introduced (2025) | SB 191; SB 284 / HB 4429 | Medium |
Minnesota | Introduced (2025) | SF 2105; HF 1434; HF 1875 | Medium |
Mississippi | Enacted | SB 2346 — Jul 1, 2023 | High |
Missouri | Enacted (admin rule) | 15 CSR 60‑18 — May 7, 2025 | High |
Montana | Enacted | SB 544 — Jan 1, 2024 | High |
Nebraska | Enacted | LB 1092 — Jul 2024 | High |
Nevada | Failed (2025 session) | AB 294 | Low |
New Hampshire | Low | ||
New Jersey | Introduced (2025) | S4455; A4146 | Medium |
New Mexico | Failed (2025 session) | HB 44 | Low |
New York | Failed (2025 session) | S3591 / A3946 | Low |
North Carolina | Enacted | HB 8 — Jan 1, 2024 | High |
North Dakota | Enacted (effective soon) | HB 1561 — Aug 1, 2025; SB 2380 (age signal) — Aug 1, 2026 | High |
Ohio | Enacted (effective soon) | HB 96 — Sep 29, 2025 | High |
Oklahoma | Enacted | SB 1959 — Nov 1, 2024 | High |
Oregon | Failed (2025 session) | HB 2032 | Low |
Pennsylvania | Introduced (2025) | SB 603; HB 1513 | Medium |
Rhode Island | Low | ||
South Carolina | Enacted | HB 3424 — Jan 1, 2025 | High |
South Dakota | Enacted | HB 1053 — Jul 1, 2025 | High |
Tennessee | Enacted | SB 1792 — Jan 1, 2025 | High |
Texas | Enacted / enforceable | HB 1181 — enforcement allowed per SCOTUS (Jun 27, 2025) | High |
Utah | Enacted | SB 287 — May 3, 2023 | High |
Vermont | Low | ||
Virginia | Enacted | SB 1515 — Jul 1, 2023 | High |
Washington | Low | ||
West Virginia | Failed (2025 session) | SB 293; HB 2689 | Low |
Wisconsin | Passed first chamber (2025) | AB 105 / SB 130 | Medium |
Wyoming | Enacted | HB 43 — Jul 1, 2025 | High |
Is this table confusing?
It should be. It means a highly splintered internet. You can not access the same information as you travel across states. And accessing it means revealing highly personal information, like your driver's license number, to totally unregulated strangers. It doesn't have to be this way. What you do online should be your business.
Try a decentralized VPN
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Access the content you want or need, no matter where you are.
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Protect your metadata from data brokers and other snoopers
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Most importantly: Don't get linked to what you do online.
Notes & sources: Nym has compiled this data for your awareness from the Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA)’s U.S. tracker (24 states enacted as of May 20, 2025) and the Free Speech Coalition’s 2025 bill tracker (with new enactments added like Ohio HB 96 and rule changes like Missouri 15 CSR 60‑18). Texas enforcement status reflects the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 27, 2025 decision. Louisiana Act 440 and Utah SB 287 are the earliest modern U.S. AV laws. See AVPA Association, Free Speech Coalition, the Supreme Court.
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