Sponsored by Rep. Jessica Karjala (D- Billings), last week the Montana House of Representatives passed HR5 declaring that pornography is creating a public health crisis, is biologically addictives, increases demand for sex trafficking, and more. This resolution follows suit with eleven other states making similar declarations since 2016. Initiated by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation in Utah in 2016, this resolution has led to states passing new laws against pornography relating to education and awareness.
Local mother and advocate, Brittany Homer, introduced the legislation to local legislators last year. Homer shared with us, “I became involved in the fight against human trafficking, both internationally and locally. It wasn’t too long before I realized how much pornography was a contributing factor. So with a team of dedicated people, we set our sights on legislation that would help address this problem.” Homer and her team also held luncheons at their Capital educating legislators on the public health harms of pornography.
The resolution also follows a new trend of calling the federal government to enforce obscenity laws, stating “in instances when federal obscenity laws have been enforced through prosecution in other parts of the country, pornographers in many places have responded by self-regulating.” Last year the Kentucky legislature made the same declaration, as well as the Tennessee House of Representatives this year.
Arizona, Missouri, and Texas have introduced similar resolutions. Just this week, the Arizona Senate passed the resolution to its final vote that is taking place this Monday. If passed, the resolution will be transmitted to the governor to sign. Missouri has a hearing this Tuesday, leaving it to one more vote before going to the governor’s desk. Missouri also last week voted on the “Safer Internet for Children Act” that, if passed, would require all Internet providers doing business with residents of Missouri to filter pornography by default only allowing access through a passcode.