New laws: adult site photo ID, THC limits, blue light ban, and more

On Friday, popular adult entertainment website Pornhub announced that it was disabling access for users in Virginia. The reason? Back in March, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law that would require pornographic websites to verify the age of users in order to protect minors from viewing pornographic content. This requires submitting a photo ID or other proof of age to an adult site every time the site is accessed.

Now, when visitors access the website, they are greeted with a statement on its website that asserts that “giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk.”

It’s currently unclear how the law will be enforced, and according to Pornhub, it’s up to each individual website to take steps to come into conformity with the new law.

Virginia is not the first state to institute this kind of law, as similar laws have gone into effect in Louisiana and Utah. “As we’ve seen in other states, this just drives traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place,” the statement from Pornhub said.

Pornhub is not against verification, but would rather look for methods that identify users based on their device.

“Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Virginia,” the statement is read.

The age verification law is one of a bevy set to take effect on July 1. Here’s a look at some other laws that will be in effect as of Saturday. For more information on these laws and other laws going into effect on July 1, check out the Virginia Public Access Project website and the Virginia Division of Legislative Services “In Due Course” report.

Buy a gun lock or gun safe, get a tax credit

This new law establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for individuals who purchase one or more firearm safety devices, including gun safes and locks. The credit is worth up to $300 for the cost incurred, and the state is not allowed to issue more than $5 million in credits per taxable year. The program is for the taxable years 2023 to 2027.

When 'Freedom of Information' is not free, agencies must explain fees up front

According to this law, public bodies like local governments must post a written policy on its website explaining how they assess charges for searching records for accessing and searching requested records.

Absentee ballots: no witness required, but what's your SSN?

This law removes the witness requirement for absentee ballots, instead replacing it with a requirement for absentee voters to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number and their birth year. The SSN digits can be replaced with a voter’s unique identifier in the voter registration system for voters who have never been issued an SSN.

Sale of farmland to China

If you were thinking of selling your farmland to a Chinese concern, think again. This new law prohibits China or “any foreign adversary” from purchasing agricultural land in Virginia.

New THC limits in hemp products

One of a number of new marijuana laws on the books, this law limits the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that can be included in a hemp product or industrial hemp extract to 0.3% and two milligrams per package. This is limited to retail sails, and allows a hemp product to contain more than two milligrams of THC if the product also contained an amount of cannibidiol (CBD) that is at least 25 times greater than the amount of THC.

Tougher rules for advertising marijuana

As of July 1, it will be a class-1 misdemeanor to advertise marijuana or marijuana products, including synthetic marijuana, other than those that are legally sold in Virginia. It puts into place restrictions on advertising that targets minors, including prohibiting advertising at a sporting event or on a billboard.

Got a catalytic converter, go directly to jail

This law creates the presumption that anyone not in the auto repair business who is in possession of a catalytic converter which has been removed from a motor vehicle is guilty of theft. The law makes it a class-6 felony to sell, offer for sale, or purchase a catalytic converter that has been detached from a motor vehicle, except when the transaction involves a scrap metal purchaser that has abided by required compliance provisions.

Quicker notifications to parents about bullying incidents in public schools

This law requires principals at public schools to notify parents of any student involved in an alleged bullying incident within 24 hours of learning of the allegation or incident. This is a departure from pervious law, which required principals to notify parents within five school days of the allegation.

Mandated coverage of hearing aids for minors

The law requires health insurers, health maintenance organizations, and corporations providing health care coverage subscription contracts to provide coverage for hearing aids and related services for children 18 years of age or younger when an otolaryngologist recommends such hearing aids and related services.

Blue headlights banned

Did you pay to get a set of blue headlights with after-market modifications? You'll need to get back to the shop to get them replaced, as headlights that have been modified to appear blue have been banned in Virginia.

Sexual extortion law on the books

It is now a class-5 felony to blackmail an individual with nude photos in order to have them perform sexual acts.

NDAs for sexual harassment claims now void

This new law provides that an employer can't force an employee to sign a non-disclosure agreement for the purpose of covering up sexual harassment. Any non-disclosure agreements with such provisions are void.

Tenant protections from unsafe rental conditions

Tenants can now end their rental agreement and get a full refund of all deposits and rent paid to their landlord within the first seven days of the agreement if there's a serious health or safety risk present in their dwelling.

—Akhil Ganesh is the Government Reporter at The News Leader. You can contact him at aganesh@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @akhildoesthings.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: New laws: adult site photo ID, THC limits, blue light ban, and more