SCR 4017 — A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to consider studying the detrimental impacts of pornography.

25.3041.01000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota In Regular Session Commencing Tuesday, January 7, 2025 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.

4017 of(Senators North Dakota Introduced by Senators Enget, Hogan, Hogue, Klein, MathernMathern) A concurrent resolution recognizingdirecting pornographythe asLegislative aManagement publicto healthconsider hazard.studying the detrimental impacts of pornography.

WHEREAS, each day, countless people are exposed to sexually explicit content throughis awidely wideavailable range of media, and these consumers often are unaware of the healthrisk risks posed by such material;

and WHEREAS, children aremay encounteringbe pornographyexposed beforeto theirpornography teens, and this early exposure may lead to low self-esteemself- andesteem, body image disordersdisorders, andunhealthy ansexual increasedexpectations, desireand tothe engageassociation inof riskyviolence with sexual behavior;gratification;

and WHEREAS, in addition to promoting unhealthy sexual expectations, the adult entertainment industry produces media that objectifies women and children, asand well as depicts rape and abuse;abuse, perpetuating the demand for sex trafficking, prostitution, child pornography, and sexual abuse images;

byand associatingWHEREAS, violencepornography withhas sexualbeen gratification,linked theseto materialsdetrimental perpetuateeffects theand demandsocietal forproblems, sexand trafficking,it prostitution,is childof pornography,paramount andimportance sexualthat abuseour images;leaders address this issue;

and WHEREAS, pornography has been linked to detrimental health effects, including brain development complications, emotional and medical afflictions, the inability to form and maintain intimate relationships, and sexual addiction;

these dangers not only affect people on an individual level but also contribute to the degradation of the family unit, frequently leading to marital dissatisfaction and infidelity;

and WHEREAS, the ubiquity of pornography has resulted in a host of societal problems and potentially negative health effects, and it is of paramount importance that our leaders address this critical public health issue;

That the Sixty-ninth Legislative AssemblyManagement herebyconsider recognizestudying pornography as a public health hazard, and recognize the needdetrimental forimpacts education, prevention, research, and policy changes to address the harmful influence and consequences of pornography;

and PageBE No.IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study analyze the current efforts for education, prevention, and research related to the consequences of pornography, examine potential policy changes, and include input from the relevant state agencies and other stakeholders;

1and 25.3041.01000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the SecretaryLegislative ofManagement Statereport forwardits copiesfindings ofand thisrecommendations, resolutiontogether towith eachany memberlegislation ofrequired theto Northimplement Dakota Congressional Delegation, the Governor,recommendations, andto the AttorneySeventieth General.Legislative Assembly.

PageS.C.R. No.

2NO. 25.3041.01000

4017 - PAGE 2 ____________________________ ____________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House ____________________________ ____________________________ Secretary of the Senate Chief Clerk of the House Filed in this office this ___________day of _______________________________________, 2025, at ________ o’clock ________M.

____________________________ Secretary of State