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Bill > HB4901


TX HB4901

TX HB4901
Relating to the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.


summary

Introduced
03/13/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/02/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.

AI Summary

This bill introduces comprehensive regulations for app stores and software application developers in Texas, focusing on protecting minors' online experiences. The legislation requires app stores to verify users' ages by requesting and verifying age information, categorizing users into specific age groups (child, younger teenager, older teenager, and adult), and mandating parental consent for minors under 18 when downloading or purchasing software applications. App stores must obtain explicit, specific consent from parents or guardians for each individual download or purchase, providing detailed information about the application, its rating, content, and data collection practices. Software application developers must assign age ratings to their applications and provide notice to app stores about significant changes to their applications' terms of service, privacy policies, or functionality. The bill also establishes strict guidelines for handling personal data, requiring app stores and developers to limit data collection, use encryption, and delete personal information after verification. Parents or guardians are given the right to bring civil actions against app stores or developers for violations, with potential remedies including injunctive relief, actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees, and court costs. The legislation aims to create a more transparent and safer digital environment for minors by imposing clear responsibilities on digital platforms and application developers. The law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving stakeholders time to prepare for implementation.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (132)

Angie Button (R)* Caroline Fairly (R)* Mary González (D)* Todd Hunter (R)* Jared Patterson (R)* Daniel Alders (R),  Alma Allen (D),  Rafael Anchía (D),  Jeffrey Barry (R),  Cecil Bell (R),  Keith Bell (R),  Diego Bernal (D),  Salman Bhojani (D),  Greg Bonnen (R),  Rhetta Bowers (D),  John Bryant (D),  Brad Buckley (R),  John Bucy (D),  Ben Bumgarner (R),  Briscoe Cain (R),  Liz Campos (D),  Terry Canales (D),  Giovanni Capriglione (R),  Sheryl Cole (D),  Nicole Collier (D),  David Cook (R),  Philip Cortez (D),  Tom Craddick (R),  Charles Cunningham (R),  Pat Curry (R),  Drew Darby (R),  Aicha Davis (D),  Yvonne Davis (D),  Jay Dean (R),  Mano DeAyala (R),  Mark Dorazio (R),  Harold Dutton (D),  Paul Dyson (R),  Lulu Flores (D),  James Frank (R),  Erin Gámez (D),  Josey Garcia (D),  Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D),  Gary Gates (R),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Charlie Geren (R),  Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D),  Bobby Guerra (D),  Ryan Guillen (R),  Sam Harless (R),  Cody Harris (R),  Caroline Harris Davila (R),  Richard Hayes (R),  Cole Hefner (R),  Ana Hernandez (D),  Hillary Hickland (R),  Janis Holt (R),  Andy Hopper (R),  Donna Howard (D),  Lacey Hull (R),  Ann Johnson (D),  Jo Jones (D),  Venton Jones (D),  Helen Kerwin (R),  Ken King (R),  Stan Kitzman (R),  Marc LaHood (R),  Suleman Lalani (D),  Stan Lambert (R),  Brooks Landgraf (R),  Jeff Leach (R),  Terri Leo-Wilson (R),  Oscar Longoria (D),  Janie Lopez (R),  Ray Lopez (D),  A.J. Louderback (R),  David Lowe (R),  J.M. Lozano (R),  John Lujan (R),  Shelley Luther (R),  Christian Manuel (D),  Mando Martinez (D),  Trey Martinez Fischer (D),  Don McLaughlin (R),  John McQueeney (R),  Will Metcalf (R),  Morgan Meyer (R),  Terry Meza (D),  Brent Money (R),  Joe Moody (D),  Eddie Morales (D),  Matt Morgan (R),  Sergio Muñoz (D),  Candy Noble (R),  Mike Olcott (R),  Tom Oliverson (R),  Claudia Ordaz Perez (D),  Angelia Orr (R),  Dennis Paul (R),  Mary Ann Perez (D),  Dade Phelan (R),  Katrina Pierson (R),  Mihaela Plesa (D),  Richard Raymond (D),  Ron Reynolds (D),  Keresa Richardson (R),  Ramon Romero (D),  Jon Rosenthal (D),  Nate Schatzline (R),  Alan Schoolcraft (R),  Matt Shaheen (R),  Joanne Shofner (R),  Lauren Simmons (D),  John Smithee (R),  David Spiller (R),  Valoree Swanson (R),  James Talarico (D),  Carl Tepper (R),  Senfronia Thompson (D),  Tony Tinderholt (R),  Steve Toth (R),  Ellen Troxclair (R),  Chris Turner (D),  Gary VanDeaver (R),  Cody Vasut (R),  Denise Villalobos (R),  Wesley Virdell (R),  Hubert Vo (D),  Armando Walle (D),  Charlene Ward Johnson (D),  Trey Wharton (R),  Terry Wilson (R), 

Last Action

Left pending in committee (on 04/15/2025)

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