Bill would create fund channeling tech litigation recoveries to youth mental‑health programs
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Summary
SB602 would establish a non‑lapsing Algorithmic Addiction Fund to receive civil penalties or settlements from litigation against social platforms and dedicate them to prevention, research, school‑based behavioral health and treatment for youth affected by algorithmic harms, proponents said.
Senate Bill 602, introduced by Sen. Hester, would create an Algorithmic Addiction Fund to collect civil judgments or settlements in litigation involving harms caused to minors by social media algorithms. The fund would be administered by the Department of Health and dedicated to prevention, intervention, research and treatment programs for children and youth.
Witnesses included parents who have lost children and advocates who cited whistleblower documents and ongoing trials alleging social platforms engineered features that amplify harm among minors. Christine McComas (Grace’s Law) described the litigation momentum and urged the committee to dedicate any recovered funds to services rather than general revenue. Mental‑health advocates suggested routing residual funds to the consortium that supports school‑based behavioral health, a program proponents said has shown strong outcomes across Maryland schools.
Supporters emphasized measurable goals, annual reporting, and consultation with stakeholders. Opponents were not prominent in the hearing; witnesses framed the proposal as analogous to prior settlement‑directed public health funds (for example, the opioid restitution model). The committee received written testimony and an amendment proposal to specify use of residual funds for school‑based mental health initiatives.
