The proposed bill, H.B. No. 2025-2026, aims to enhance the protection of minors in Ohio by requiring application stores to implement parental control options and obtain parental consent before allowing individuals under the age of 16 to download certain applications. The bill introduces a new section, 1349.07, which defines key terms such as "application store," "child," and "covered application." It mandates that starting January 1, 2026, developers must assess whether their applications are likely to be accessed by children and notify the application stores accordingly. Additionally, manufacturers of devices and operating systems are required to take reasonable steps to estimate the age of the primary user upon activation or updates.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific responsibilities for application stores, including the need to provide mechanisms for parental consent and to signal developers when consent has been granted. It also emphasizes the importance of parental supervision tools within applications. The Attorney General is granted the authority to enforce compliance with the new regulations, including the ability to initiate civil actions against entities that violate the provisions of this section. The bill aims to ensure that children's online experiences are safer and that parents have the necessary tools to manage their children's access to digital content.