Bill > SB167

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for application stores, developers, and device manufacturers to implement parental controls and age verification mechanisms for digital applications accessed by children in Ohio. The legislation, effective January 1, 2026, mandates that application stores obtain parental consent before allowing users under 16 to download applications likely to be accessed by children, and requires device manufacturers to estimate the age of primary device users during initial activation or system updates. Developers must provide features enabling parents to manage child accounts, control content appropriateness, and limit daily application usage. The bill defines key terms like "covered application," "device," and "child," and establishes detailed compliance expectations for technology companies. Enforcement is exclusively handled by the Ohio Attorney General, who can issue civil actions with potential damages up to $2,500 per violation, though entities are given a 45-day window to cure identified issues before formal enforcement. Importantly, the legislation includes protections against anti-competitive practices and does not require companies to collect additional user data beyond their ordinary business practices. The bill aims to enhance child online safety while providing clear, implementable guidelines for technology platforms operating in Ohio.

Business and Industry

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb167