The proposed bill introduces new regulations aimed at enhancing online safety for minors by establishing age verification requirements for developers and manufacturers of applications and devices. It adds Section 282.803 to the Florida Statutes, defining terms such as "application store," "child," "covered application," and "covered manufacturer." Starting January 1, 2026, developers must evaluate whether their applications are likely to be accessed by children and notify application stores accordingly. They are also required to implement parental controls for managing children's usage and content access. Additionally, covered manufacturers must verify the age of the primary user upon device activation and comply with age verification standards.

The bill amends Section 501.1737, updating definitions and mandating digital age verification methods while eliminating previous provisions for anonymous age verification. It establishes enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Attorney General to act against non-compliant entities and providing an affirmative defense for developers relying on application store age determinations. The bill also limits liability for manufacturers making reasonable compliance efforts. Furthermore, it introduces Section 501.1741, detailing responsibilities for device-based age verification, including blocking access to harmful materials for users under 18 and obtaining parental consent for users under 16. This section will take effect on July 1, 2025, and supersedes any conflicting state laws or regulations.

Statutes affected:
S 1438 Filed: 501.1737