Bill > SB2037

This bill creates the Digital Age Assurance Act, which aims to protect minors from accessing mature online content by requiring device manufacturers and online platforms to implement age verification mechanisms. The legislation mandates that device manufacturers take reasonable steps to determine a user's age upon device activation and provide digital age signals to websites and applications, which will then be required to block or restrict access to mature content for users under 18. Specifically, websites with a substantial portion of mature content must block access for minors, provide age disclaimers, and label themselves as adult-restricted, while sites with less mature content must block specific mature content for underage users. The bill also requires online services to offer parental control features like managing linked accounts, controlling content delivery, and limiting daily usage time. Enforcement will be handled by the Attorney General, who can issue warnings and potentially levy fines up to $10,000 per violation after a 45-day cure period. Importantly, the bill does not allow for private lawsuits and aims to create a uniform, statewide standard for age verification that balances protecting minors' online experiences with privacy considerations. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and applies to both new devices and existing devices through operating system updates.

Government Affairs

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2037&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104