HF 278: Relating to parental authorization for minors to create accounts on social media platforms, providing civil penalties, and including applicability provisions

What it does

This bill relates to parental authorization for minors to create accounts on social media platforms. The bill requires a social media company (company) to obtain parental authorization before permitting a minor to create an account on the company’s platform, and, upon request, to allow a parent or guardian to revoke or rescind the grant of parental authorization at any time. “Social media company”, “parental authorization”, “minor”, and “social media platform” are defined in the bill. The bill prohibits the collection, transfer, transmission, imaging, or retention of data related to a minor by a company if the company has not received parental authorization, and prohibits a company from allowing a minor to create or use an account on the social media platform if the minor is prohibited from doing so by any other provision of state or federal law.

House subcommittee · named February 11, 2025

• Rep. Samantha Fett (R) · samantha.fett@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R) · skyler.wheeler@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) · ross.wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 8 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; PELLA PAC; Protect My Innocence; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

Against: Technology Network aka TechNet

In plain words

1. February 10, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. February 11, 2025House subcommittee named: Fett, Wheeler and Wilburn
3. February 19, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 25, 2025Approved by the House committee
5. February 25, 2025Committee vote: 19–2
6. March 5, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 798