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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Feyen authors Wisconsin Senate bill restricting harmful online content for minors

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Dan Feyen, Wisconsin State Senator for 20th District | Facebook

Dan Feyen, Wisconsin State Senator for 20th District | Facebook

A new bill authored by State Sen. Dan Feyen in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to restrict access to harmful online content for minors by requiring reasonable age verification methods, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the distribution of certain material on the Internet".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill creates restrictions on the online publication and distribution of material deemed harmful to minors, requiring businesses to use reasonable age verification methods before granting access to such content. "Material harmful to minors" includes content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts or nudity, and lacking significant value for minors. It also bans the publication of obscene material or depictions of purported children online. Entities that comply with age verification must not retain users' identifying data. Civil liability for damages, costs, and attorney fees may be imposed for violations, and sovereign immunity cannot be claimed as a defense. The bill excludes bona fide news organizations from these requirements and exempts Internet service providers, search engines, and cloud services from penalties if they do not generate the content. The effective date has not been specified.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), along seven other co-sponsors.

Dan Feyen has authored or co-authored another 37 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Feyen graduated from Fox Valley Technical College in 1988.

Feyen, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 20th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Duey Stroebel.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Dan Feyen in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB13003/14/2025The distribution of certain material on the Internet
SB12503/14/2025A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE)
SB12403/14/2025Creating a board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit. (FE)
SB12203/07/2025Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE)
SB11803/07/2025A tax credit for relocating to this state due to Hurricane Helene or the Los Angeles wildfires. (FE)
SB10003/07/2025The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)
SB9503/07/2025Restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE)
SB9403/07/2025Civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty
SB9003/07/2025The sales and use tax exemption for electricity and natural gas sold for residential use. (FE)
SB6902/26/2025An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE)
SB6602/21/2025Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty
SB6202/21/2025Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE)
SB5502/21/2025Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE)
SB4002/12/2025Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
SB2902/12/2025Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time
SB2802/12/2025An incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line
SB2602/05/2025Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE)

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