Law / United States / Virginia

SB 1515 (2023), civil liability for Internet publication of material harmful to minors

Va. Code § 8.01-40.5 (2023 Va. Acts c. 811)

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What follows is LexLint's own research summary of this law, not legal advice.

In force since 1 July 2023.

An adult content age verification (AV) rule binding private bodies.

As of 2 September 2026.

What this law does

Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page.

Commercial entities that knowingly publish or distribute material harmful to minors on websites containing a substantial portion (more than one third) of such material must verify that visitors are at least 18 years old using a commercially available age verification database or another commercially reasonable method.

If you get it wrong

Criminal exposureNo

Private right of actionYes

Penalties

Civil liability for damages, reasonable attorney fees, and costs.

Who enforces it

Enforcement body

Private civil action.

What it reaches

Age threshold

18

Covered services

Websites where a substantial portion (more than one third) of content is material harmful to minors.

Obligation class

Age verification

Verification methods

Gov ID, Third party service

When LexLint raises it

  • publishes_adult_content

Read the law

official Code of Virginia text

Every line above is drawn from the primary source linked here, read on the date shown. This is a research summary, not legal advice.

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