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Parental-consent app bill advances after tech industry voices concerns
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Summary
The Senate Commerce Committee reported House Bill 9 77 favorably after a day of testimony. Supporters say the measure would let parents control app downloads via an "age signal" from app stores; Google and the Developers Alliance warned it would burden small developers, raise privacy issues and could face constitutional challenges.
Representative Beaulieu presented House Bill 9 77 as a framework to require verifiable parental consent in the digital marketplace, saying the measure would let app stores send an "age signal" to developers so parents can approve downloads for minors. "It's a vital step in protecting children online," Beaulieu said, describing the measure as a way to ensure parents "have the final say so over the software and services their children access."
Adam Haddix, testifying on behalf of Google, said he was not categorically opposed but urged caution, citing the bill's complexity and technical provisions. "There's a lot of language in here that is extremely technical and really needs to be parsed and considered," Haddix said, noting existing parental-control tools on current devices and warning the bill shifts much responsibility to platforms. He questioned whether the proposal appropriately shares responsibilities among device makers, app stores and app developers.
Lew Wasson of the Developers Alliance said the bill "fails to do so while imposing broad mandates that are likely unconstitutional and would hurt developers who create safe, educational, and age-appropriate content for kids." He argued the measure could saddle small educational apps with compliance costs and said a similarly framed law in Texas has met a preliminary injunction.
Committee members asked technical questions about where the age signal would come from, how it would affect adults and whether the bill applies to websites as well as app stores. Beaulieu and witnesses clarified the bill targets app stores and applications delivered through an app marketplace, not general web browsing. The sponsor also explained a proposed enforcement fine of $10,000 and that a developer acting "in good faith" who had obtained a valid signal would not be liable for certain violations.
Several advocacy groups filed cards in support but did not testify; Jean Mills (Family Forum) and Tom Costanza (Catholic Bishops) were among those noted as supporters. After extended questioning and debate, the committee, without recorded roll-call votes, moved HB 9 77 favorably.
What happens next: HB 9 77 is reported favorably to the full Senate. Given opponents' warnings about constitutional risk and the bill's technical mechanics, further drafting and negotiation appear likely before a floor vote.
