Attorney general urges new investigative tools, backs youth online safety bill

The Washington attorney general told reporters the office is pursuing legislation to give investigators better tools to enforce state laws and described a youth online safety bill intended to restrict addictive algorithms for minors.

On investigative authority, the attorney general said the office currently uses civil investigative demands (CIDs) in consumer protection cases but lacks the same tool for enforcing state civil-rights statutes. The proposed legislation would extend CID-like authority to those areas and provide confidential identification for investigators working undercover, the attorney general said.

"We want to make sure that we have that tool," the attorney general said, adding the changes would help the office efficiently enforce consumer protections, anti-discrimination laws and wage-and-hour rules.

Reporters asked about a Senate Law and Justice Committee bill to regulate automated license plate readers; the attorney general said staff are reviewing the bill and working with legislators to address privacy concerns.

On online safety, the attorney general described a bill introduced last year that would ban "addictive algorithms" for minors and limit persistent notifications during school hours and late at night. The attorney general said the office worked with stakeholders, including tech industry representatives, to refine the bill and expects it will pass.

When asked about constitutional concerns, the attorney general said the office believes the bill will be defensible in court and emphasized the public's interest in protecting children from addictive online practices.