Council briefed on Haley’s Law: expanded alerts and social‑media consent for minors

Staff summarized provisions commonly called Haley’s Law, explaining the package includes an expanded silver‑alert category for high‑risk missing children and new rules for social‑media providers to require parental or guardian consent for users under 16 and to limit certain features believed to be addictive.

The presenter said social‑media platforms must use reasonable efforts to verify users' ages; if minors lie about their age, platforms may warn and delete accounts, and the attorney general is given jurisdiction to bring enforcement actions against providers that violate the law.

A council member said the law might better address the problem if it required adults who interact with minors in games and forums to identify themselves; staff acknowledged the point as a possible refinement for future legislative work.