Bill > S1222

This bill adds a new chapter to Idaho's laws to establish the "Children's Device Protection Act". The key provisions of the bill are: 1. Beginning January 1, 2025, all devices (tablets and smartphones) activated in Idaho must contain internet filters to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The filters must be enabled by default for minor users, allow a password to be set, and notify users when content is blocked. 2. Manufacturers of these devices will be subject to civil and criminal liability if a device without a compliant filter is activated in Idaho and a minor accesses obscene material on the device, unless the manufacturer made a good faith effort to provide a commercially reasonable filter. 3. Individuals, other than a minor's parent or guardian, may be liable in a civil action for enabling the password to deactivate the filter on a device in a minor's possession, resulting in the minor accessing obscene material. 4. The state Attorney General can bring proceedings against violators, including seeking injunctions, civil penalties, and license revocation for manufacturers. 5. Parents and legal guardians can also bring private civil actions against manufacturers for violations, seeking damages and attorney's fees. 6. Disabling the filter on a device in a minor's possession, except by the parent/guardian, will be a criminal offense. The bill aims to promote the mental health of minors and reduce their access to harmful online content through these comprehensive requirements and enforcement mechanisms.

Government Affairs, Justice

State Affairs Committee (Senate)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2024/legislation/S1222/