FSC: Missouri AV Rule Not Going Into Effect August 30

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Adult industry trade group the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued the following advisory Wednesday morning concerning the impending age verificiation rule for the state or Missouri published in May by state attorney general Andrew Bailey:

In May, the Missouri Attorney General published proposed age verification rules (15 CSR 60-18.010 through 15 CSR 60-18.070) in the Missouri Register. Based on the state’s rulemaking timeline, FSC originally estimated the regulations could take effect as soon as August 30, 2025.

However, the final rules were not published in time for the regulation to take effect on August 30th. We do not yet know whether the regulation has continued to move through the state's opaque rulemaking process, but it cannot go into force until 30 days after the final rule is published in the Code of State Regulations. 

What this means for you:

•  No enforcement yet. Businesses are not required to comply with the proposed rules until the Attorney General completes the rulemaking process and the rule goes into effect.

•  The timeline is uncertain. The Attorney General’s office has not provided a timeline, so it’s not clear if/when the final rule will be published.

FSC will continue tracking the situation closely and share updates as soon as a final rule is published or the deadlines elapse and the proposed rule becomes void.