Rhode Island could charge $20 to watch porn: State lawmakers proposing whether to bill users who want to access explicit content

  • Senators Frank Ciccone and Hanna Gallo introduced the bill on Thursday
  • Internet providers would be required to block porn and 'offensive content'
  • Users would be able to pay $20 to unblock the website to get access
  • The money would go towards the Council of Human Trafficking 

Lawmakers in Rhode Island are proposing a new bill that would charge residents a fee of $20 if they want to access porn and other 'offensive content'.

Senators Frank Ciccone and Hanna Gallo of Rhode Island introduced a bill on Thursday that would require Internet providers to block 'sexual content and patently offensive material.'

Users would have the option to deactivate this block for a fee of $20. 

The bill could be introduced later this year if it passes through the General Assembly this session.

Senator Fran Ciccone (pictured) and Senator Hanna Gallo proposed a new bill on Thursday that would force Internet providers in Rhode Island to block porn and 'offensive material'
Users would have to pay $20 to unlock the blocked sites

Senator Fran Ciccone (left) and Senator Hanna Gallo (right) proposed a new bill on Thursday that would force Internet providers in Rhode Island to block porn and 'offensive material'

The money made from the deactivation fee would fund the operation of the Council of Human Trafficking.  

Each quarter the internet providers would be required to hand over the money earned from the fee to go towards the operation of the new committee, the bill states.

Human trafficking is modern day slavery that occurs in the United States and across the world.

An estimated 4.5 million people across the globe are forced into sexual exploitation, according to the International Labor Organization.  

The lawmakers haven't confirmed what the exact duties of the organization would be, but it would target the issues of human trafficking in the country. 

The bill states that if online distributors of sexual content refused to comply with the bill, the attorney general or consumer could file a civil suit of up to $500 for every piece of content not blocked. 

The winning party in the civil suit could also ask the losing party to pay for attorney fees. 

Some have criticized the bill saying it conflates sex work with human trafficking.  

It is unclear what is defined as 'offensive content' under the bill.