I am not sure the information in this thread is accurate.

I do not see anything that postpones the act's effective date to January 2019. Moreover, I just confirmed that the amendments in this act are already incorporated into older laws, i.e. it is effective now.

I do not see any part that only applies to those making money, or exempts those who are not benefiting monetarily. The term "interstate commerce" includes the "transportation of people" (Google it, lots of sources).

So, it looks like a site owner can be charged under federal law if they knowingly facilitate prostitution across state lines, or to/from foreign country. That should be easily avoidable.

But the big kicker is another section that amends 47 U.S.C. 230(e) to say, site owners and operators cannot use protections provided by 47 U.S.C. 230(e) to avoid lawsuits or criminal prosecution under state law.

In essence, having a website that facilitates trafficking or prostitution has been illegal in "most" states (BP owners arrested week before new law), but no one cared because federal law said operators are not responsible for user posts. Not anymore. You may not need to worry about the FBI kicking in your door, but watch for local Sheriff trying to get reelected.

So, explain again how this site and all of us are not at risk?

I have copied the relevant subsections below.

The full text can be found at: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/h...5hr1865enr.xml

“(b) Aggravated Violation.—Whoever, using a facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce or in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service (as such term is defined in defined in section 230(f) the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f))), or conspires or attempts to do so, with the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another person and—

“(1) promotes or facilitates the prostitution of 5 or more persons; or

“(2) acts in reckless disregard of the fact that such conduct contributed to sex trafficking, in violation of 1591(a),

shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 25 years, or both.

.........

“(5) NO EFFECT ON SEX TRAFFICKING LAW.—Nothing in this section (other than subsection (c)(2)(A)) shall be construed to impair or limit—

“(A) any claim in a civil action brought under section 1595 of title 18, United States Code, if the conduct underlying the claim constitutes a violation of section 1591 of that title;

“(B) any charge in a criminal prosecution brought under State law if the conduct underlying the charge would constitute a violation of section 1591 of title 18, United States Code; or

“(C) any charge in a criminal prosecution brought under State law if the conduct underlying the charge would constitute a violation of section 2421A of title 18, United States Code, and promotion or facilitation of prostitution is illegal in the jurisdiction where the defendant’s promotion or facilitation of prostitution was targeted.”.