Bill > SB186

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for Internet-enabled devices (specifically smartphones and tablets manufactured after June 1, 2025) to protect minors from accessing obscene material online. The legislation mandates that these devices must include a content filter that automatically activates when a user indicates they are a minor during device setup, with the ability to password-protect and deactivate the filter for non-minor users. Manufacturers can be held civilly liable if a minor accesses obscene material on a device that does not have a compliant filter, though they can avoid liability by demonstrating a good faith effort to implement the required protections. The bill defines key terms like "obscene material" and "filter," and provides the Attorney General with enforcement powers, including the ability to seek civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation (with a total aggregate cap of $50,000), recover investigative costs, and potentially seek revocation of a manufacturer's business license for repeated violations. Notably, the bill does not apply to devices manufactured before June 1, 2025, or to video game consoles, and it does not create liability for device retailers. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025, representing a significant regulatory approach to protecting minors from inappropriate online content.