N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-500 (2026)

(a) This Article shall be known as the Pornography Age Verification Enforcement Act or the PAVE Act.

(b) The following definitions shall apply to this Article:

(1) Commercial entity. - Corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships, sole proprietorships, or other legally recognized entities.

(2) Distribute. - To issue, sell, give, provide, deliver, transfer, transmute, circulate, or disseminate by any means.

(3) Harmful to minors. - As defined in G.S. 14-190.13.

(4) Internet. - The international computer network of both federal and non-federal interoperable packet switched data networks.

(5) Material. - As defined in G.S. 14-190.13.

(6) News-gathering organization. - Any of the following:

a. An employee of a newspaper, news publication, or news source, printed or on an online or mobile platform, of current news and public interest, while operating as an employee as provided in this sub-subdivision, who can provide documentation of such employment with the newspaper, news publication, or news source.

b. A radio broadcast station, television broadcast station, cable television operator, or wire service, or an employee of a radio broadcast station, television broadcast station, cable television operator, or wire service.

(7) Publish. - To communicate or make information available to another person or entity on a publicly available website.

(8) Substantial portion. - More than thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of total material on a website, which meets the definition of material harmful to minors as defined in this subsection.  (2023-132, s. 3.20(a); 2025-25, s. 29(5).)