Chair backs strike-all, creates task force to rework "Keeping Kids Safe Online" bill

The Judiciary chair introduced a strike-all amendment to House Bill 1224, the "Keeping Kids Safe Online" proposal, saying the change would create a study task force and include a reverse repealer to allow further work in conference. "I've received commitments from representatives from Google, Facebook, TikTok, NetChoice, that they are willing to talk," the chair said, explaining the amendment is intended to produce a version that could survive constitutional review.

The chair framed the measure against the litigation history of similar laws, citing the Walker Montgomery litigation and Justice Kavanaugh's opinion. He told the committee that age-verification technology can require a digital ID and risk excluding adults from constitutionally protected material, which is why the strike-all would establish a study process before imposing enforceable requirements. "Everybody that I've ever talked to wants to protect our children," the chair said, "but the issue comes down to constitutionality of the laws that get passed."

Senator Fillingain asked whether concerns about constitutionality should prevent the legislature from acting; the chair answered that the committee can pursue a bill that "actually works" rather than one likely to be enjoined. Senator Boyd pressed whether the industry’s main objection was the age-verification piece; the chair replied that objections vary by technology (hosts versus apps) and by enforcement provisions, including private-action language that would allow the attorney general to bring suits.

The committee adopted the strike-all amendment by voice vote and then approved a title-sufficient, due-pass motion as amended. The chair said the strike-all includes a reverse repealer and creates options for a study committee or conference committee to hear outside voices and craft a constitutionally durable bill, and that those processes would be the next steps.