US Congress House Bill 8517 (Prior Session Legislation)

---

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 19-0)
Status: Introduced on October 2 2020 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2020-10-02 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Pending: House Energy And Commerce Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Modifies the immunity from liability of a provider or user of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) for screening and blocking offensive content on its platform. Specifically, the bill provides that this immunity shall not apply to any action taken to restrict access to or availability of material provided by another information content provider unless the action is taken in good faith based on an objectively reasonable belief that the material is (1) obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, promoting terrorism or violent extremism, harassing, promoting self-harm, or unlawful; or (2) violates the applicable terms of service or use. In order to avoid liability for taking action based on either belief, certain good faith requirements must be met, such as (1) making publicly available terms of service or use that plainly state the criteria for content moderation practices, and (2) not restricting access to or availability of material on deceptive grounds. Further, the bill specifies that being responsible in whole or in part for the creation or development of information includes instances in which a person or entity solicits, comments upon, funds, or affirmatively and substantively contributes to, modifies, or alters information provided by another person or entity.

Protect Speech Act

Rep. Jim Jordan [R-OH]	Rep. James Sensenbrenner [R-WI]	Rep. Louie Gohmert [R-TX]	Rep. Doug Collins [R-GA]
Rep. Ken Buck [R-CO]	Rep. Andy Biggs [R-AZ]	Rep. Tom McClintock [R-CA]	Rep. Debbie Lesko [R-AZ]
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler [R-PA]	Rep. Ben Cline [R-VA]	Rep. Greg Steube [R-FL]	Rep. Tom Tiffany [R-WI]
Rep. Kevin Hern [R-OK]	Rep. Mike Johnson [R-LA]	Rep. James Hagedorn [R-MN]	Rep. Bill Posey [R-FL]
Rep. John Rutherford [R-FL]	Rep. Vern Buchanan [R-FL]	Rep. John Rose [R-TN]

Date	Chamber	Action
2020-10-02	House	Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2020-10-02	House	Introduced in House

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8517/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr8517/BILLS-116hr8517ih.pdf