{
  "batch": "6747-district-of-columbia-age-verification-laws",
  "articles": [
    {
      "id": "learn_r6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_anchor_t22",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code Title 22: Criminal Offenses and Penalties (anchor)",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] The Council of the District of Columbia's official D.C. Code site (code.dccouncil.gov) publishes Title 22, Criminal Offenses and Penalties; the obscenity chapter (Chapter 22) holds one section, 22-2201.",
      "body": "The Council of the District of Columbia's official D.C. Code site (code.dccouncil.gov) publishes Title 22, Criminal Offenses and Penalties; the obscenity chapter (Chapter 22) holds one section, 22-2201.\n\nWhat Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov) actually says:\n\n“Chapter 22. Obscenity. §§ 22-2201”\n\nNote: Anchor record: the Council's own D.C. Law Library, a .gov domain.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/22",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-18",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov)",
      "evidence_quote": "Chapter 22. Obscenity. §§ 22-2201",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6747-district-of-columbia-age-verification-laws",
      "subject": "D.C. Code Title 22",
      "topic": "Criminal Offenses and Penalties (anchor)",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "applies_to_scope": "DC",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-dc"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "unclassified"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_av_none",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] No age-verification statute for adult content in Title 22",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] The Title 22 index lists a single obscenity section, 22-2201, whose harmful-to-minors paragraph prohibits selling or providing harmful material to a minor under 17 but prescribes no age-verification method, retention duty, threshold or regulated-entity definition; no age-verification statute for adult websites was found in the sections read.",
      "body": "The Title 22 index lists a single obscenity section, 22-2201, whose harmful-to-minors paragraph prohibits selling or providing harmful material to a minor under 17 but prescribes no age-verification method, retention duty, threshold or regulated-entity definition; no age-verification statute for adult websites was found in the sections read.\n\nWhat Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov) actually says:\n\n“Chapter 22. Obscenity. §§ 22-2201”\n\nNote: ABSENCE RECORD (inferred from an index/listing or page that does not mention it, not from operative text). Read 22-2201, 22-1312, 22-3101 to 22-3104 and Chapter 30A, and searched them for 'age verification', 'verify' and 'commercial entity': no hit. Title 28 (consumer protection), Title 47 and the Council's bill pages (lims.dccouncil.gov) were not searched in full.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/22",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-18",
      "reliability": "CREATOR STRATEGY",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov)",
      "evidence_quote": "Chapter 22. Obscenity. §§ 22-2201",
      "volatility": "medium",
      "from_batch": "6747-district-of-columbia-age-verification-laws",
      "subject": "D.C. Code Title 22",
      "topic": "No age-verification statute for adult content in Title 22",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "applies_to_scope": "DC",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-dc"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "unclassified"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_av_nomethod",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code 22-2201: Harmful-to-minors paragraph names no verification method",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Section 22-2201(b) bars knowingly selling or providing harmful material to a minor and defines knowingly to include knowledge of the age of the minor, but names no method of verifying age and no duty on a platform to do so.",
      "body": "Section 22-2201(b) bars knowingly selling or providing harmful material to a minor and defines knowingly to include knowledge of the age of the minor, but names no method of verifying age and no duty on a platform to do so.\n\nWhat Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov) actually says:\n\n“means having a general knowledge of, or reason to know, or a belief or ground for belief which warrants further inspection or inquiry or both of: (i) The character and content of any material described in paragraph (1) of this subsection which is reasonably susceptible of examination by the defendant; and (ii) The age of the minor.”\n\nNote: ABSENCE RECORD (inferred from an index/listing or page that does not mention it, not from operative text). Read 22-2201(b)(2)(F) in full: the only reference to age is that the defendant must have knowledge of, or reason to know, the minor's age.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-2201",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-18",
      "reliability": "CREATOR STRATEGY",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov)",
      "evidence_quote": "means having a general knowledge of, or reason to know, or a belief or ground for belief which warrants further inspection or inquiry or both of: (i) The character and content of any material described in paragraph (1) of this subsection which is reasonably susceptible of examination by the defendant; and (ii) The age of the minor.",
      "volatility": "medium",
      "from_batch": "6747-district-of-columbia-age-verification-laws",
      "subject": "D.C. Code 22-2201",
      "topic": "Harmful-to-minors paragraph names no verification method",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "applies_to_scope": "DC",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-dc"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "unclassified"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_o2201_b1",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code 22-2201: Harmful to minors: selling or providing to a minor",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code 22-2201(b)(1)(A)(i): it is unlawful knowingly to sell, deliver, distribute or provide to a minor a picture, photograph or similar image depicting nudity, sexual conduct or sado-masochistic abuse that, taken as a whole, is patently offensive because it affronts prevailing standards in the adult community as to what is suitable for minors.",
      "body": "D.C. Code 22-2201(b)(1)(A)(i): it is unlawful knowingly to sell, deliver, distribute or provide to a minor a picture, photograph or similar image depicting nudity, sexual conduct or sado-masochistic abuse that, taken as a whole, is patently offensive because it affronts prevailing standards in the adult community as to what is suitable for minors.\n\nWhat Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov) actually says:\n\n“(b) (1) It shall be unlawful in the District of Columbia for any person knowingly: (A) To sell, deliver, distribute, or provide, or offer or agree to sell, deliver, distribute, or provide to a minor: (i) Any picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion picture film, or similar visual representation or image of a person or portion of the human body, which depicts nudity, sexual conduct, or sado-masochistic abuse and which taken as a whole is patently offensive because it affronts prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors; or”",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-2201",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-18",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov)",
      "evidence_quote": "(b) (1) It shall be unlawful in the District of Columbia for any person knowingly: (A) To sell, deliver, distribute, or provide, or offer or agree to sell, deliver, distribute, or provide to a minor: (i) Any picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion picture film, or similar visual representation or image of a person or portion of the human body, which depicts nudity, sexual conduct, or sado-masochistic abuse and which taken as a whole is patently offensive because it affronts prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors; or",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6747-district-of-columbia-age-verification-laws",
      "subject": "D.C. Code 22-2201",
      "topic": "Harmful to minors: selling or providing to a minor",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "applies_to_scope": "DC",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-dc"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "unclassified"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "failed",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "hollow_body",
          "strong_label_on_weak_content"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_o2201_minor",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code 22-2201: Harmful to minors: a minor is a person under 17",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code 22-2201(b)(2)(A): for the harmful-to-minors paragraph, 'minor' means any person under the age of 17 years.",
      "body": "D.C. Code 22-2201(b)(2)(A): for the harmful-to-minors paragraph, 'minor' means any person under the age of 17 years.\n\nWhat Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov) actually says:\n\n“means any person under the age of 17 years.”\n\nNote: The age of the 'minor' in this section is 17, one year lower than the 18 used in the sexual-performance chapter (22-3101).",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-2201",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-18",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov)",
      "evidence_quote": "means any person under the age of 17 years.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6747-district-of-columbia-age-verification-laws",
      "subject": "D.C. Code 22-2201",
      "topic": "Harmful to minors: a minor is a person under 17",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "applies_to_scope": "DC",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-dc"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "unclassified"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_6747_district_of_columbia_age_verification_laws_m3104_a",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code 22-3104: Defence: good-faith reasonable belief the performer was 18 or over",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] D.C. Code 22-3104(a): it is an affirmative defence that the defendant in good faith reasonably believed the person appearing in the performance was 18 years of age or over.",
      "body": "D.C. Code 22-3104(a): it is an affirmative defence that the defendant in good faith reasonably believed the person appearing in the performance was 18 years of age or over.\n\nWhat Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov) actually says:\n\n“Under this chapter it shall be an affirmative defense that the defendant in good faith reasonably believed the person appearing in the performance was 18 years of age or over.”\n\nNote: Not a substitute for checking and keeping identification records; the defence is for the defendant to prove.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-3104",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-18",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, code.dccouncil.gov)",
      "evidence_quote": "Under this chapter it shall be an affirmative defense that the defendant in good faith reasonably believed the person appearing in the performance was 18 years of age or over.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6747-district-of-columbia-age-verification-laws",
      "subject": "D.C. Code 22-3104",
      "topic": "Defence: good-faith reasonable belief the performer was 18 or over",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "applies_to_scope": "DC",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-dc"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "unclassified"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    }
  ]
}