The proposed bill establishes new regulations aimed at enhancing protections for minors accessing online materials deemed harmful. It introduces a new section, 282.803, which defines key terms such as "application store," "child," "covered application," and "covered manufacturer." Starting January 1, 2026, developers of covered applications are required to assess the likelihood of their applications being accessed by children and to provide appropriate parental controls. Additionally, covered manufacturers must implement age verification measures and ensure compliance with these regulations in a nondiscriminatory manner. The bill also amends section 501.1737 to update definitions and age verification methods for commercial entities distributing harmful materials, mandating the use of digital age verification methods and granting the Attorney General enforcement powers, including civil penalties for non-compliance.

Furthermore, House Bill 931 mandates that commercial entities provide both anonymous and standard age verification methods, allowing users to choose their preferred method unless opting for device-based verification. It establishes civil penalties of up to $50,000 for violations and exempts certain entities, such as news organizations and internet service providers, from these regulations. The bill requires covered manufacturers to implement device-based age verification measures to block access to harmful material for users under 18 and emphasizes the need for parental consent for users under 16 when downloading applications. All age verification requirements must be included in operating systems and application store updates by July 1, 2026, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 931 Filed: 501.1737