Rhode Island's general assembly could soon consider a bill that would assess a $20 fee on those wanting to access online pornography.

Democratic state Senators Frank Ciccone and Hanna Gallo introduced "An Act Relating to Public Utilities and Carriers--Internet Digital Blocking" on March 1. The bill would require internet service providers to digitally block sexual content or "patently offensive material" until a user pays a one-time $20 fee. The money from the fee would go to the state to fund the council on human trafficking, sponsors said.

Ciccone said the purpose of the legislation is "first and foremost (to) protect our children from viewing websites that could have possible detrimental effects to their psyches and developmental process.

"Everyone knows the internet can be a harmful and dangerous environment for our children. Our kids now have easy access to materials that no child should be viewing, such as pornography and other highly offensive or disturbing material," he added.

According to Rhode Island law, sexual content would include depictions of any act of sexual intercourse whether "normal, perverted, actual or simulated." It defines "patently offensive material" as anything that is "so offensive on its face as to affront current standards of decency."

The bill would also require internet providers to block child pornography, revenge pornography and websites that facilitate human trafficking and prostitution.

Service providers who fail to block the material could be subject to civil penalties of up to $500 per incident.