The UK House of Commons has modified amendments to the U.K.'s pending Crime and Policing Bill, including provisions regulating "step" content, content featuring adults role-playing as minors, and performers' ability to withdraw consent.

Amendments to the Lords' Amendments

The House of Commons has published its proposed changes to the amendments approved by the House of Lords in March. The government had indicated that it was backing amendments that would limit the scope of the original proposals, which included invalidating talent contracts and outlawing "step" porn and content featuring adult performers portraying minors.

According to the UK House of Commons, the revised amendments include limiting the ban on "step" content. Under the new proposal, depictions of incest involving blood relatives would be outlawed, but the "step" ban would apply only if a performer is portraying someone under the age of 18.

Limitations on Content Depicting Adults as Minors

The House of Commons amendments also limit the ban on content depicting adults portraying children. The revised proposal adjusts this ban so that only "sound or information associated with the image" can indicate that a character is under 16.

Government's Position and Parliamentary Timeline

The government has emphasized that these provisions are meant to ensure that the law only criminalizes material that portrays sex that would be illegal in real life. The House of Commons' proposed changes are part of the ongoing legislative process, with the State Opening of Parliament and King's Speech set for May 13.

Key Facts

  • The UK House of Commons has modified amendments to the U.K.'s pending Crime and Policing Bill.
  • The revised amendments include limiting the ban on "step" content, applying only if a performer is portraying someone under the age of 18.
  • The ban on content depicting adults as minors will be limited to cases where "sound or information associated with the image" indicates that a character is under 16.
  • The government has emphasized that these provisions aim to ensure that the law only criminalizes material that portrays sex that would be illegal in real life.
  • The State Opening of Parliament and King's Speech are set for May 13, with the current parliamentary Session likely to end in late April or early May.