HSB 223

This bill relates to parental consent regarding internet sites for users under the age of 16. _____ “social media account”, “social media company”, and “splash page”. For purposes of the bill, a “child” is an individual under years of age. The bill defines a “gaming site” to mean an internet site that offers video game play to individuals. The bill defines “social media account” to mean an individualized account that a user uses to access a social media company’s social media internet site. The bill defines a “social media company” to mean a company responsible for operating and maintaining a social media internet site that meets all of the specified criteria. The bill requires a social media company (company) or a gaming site to ensure that a child in the state is not utilizing the company’s internet site or gaming site without a parent’s or legal guardian’s consent. A company or gaming site shall verify that a child has consent from a parent or guardian before the child is allowed to access the internet site. The bill provides that a company or gaming site shall send a copy of a parent’s or guardian’s consent to the parent or guardian. A company or gaming site shall use a specified method to verify parental or guardian consent, including a digital consent form, an online payment system, a toll-free telephone number, a video conference with trained personnel, or by accepting a form of government-issued identification. The bill provides that if a parent or guardian fails or refuses to consent to their child accessing a social media account or gaming site, the company or gaming site shall deny the child access to the internet site. The bill provides for civil penalties. A social media company or gaming site in violation of the bill shall be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $1,000 per violation. The bill is applicable to a social media company or gaming site operating in the state days after enactment.