Bill > HB1619

This bill, known as the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, proposes to update existing Mississippi law concerning digital services and minors. It defines key terms such as "digital service" (an online platform collecting personal information), "digital service provider" (the owner/operator of such a service), "harmful material" (defined by another section of law as harmful to minors), and "known minor" (a child under 18 whom the provider knows is a minor). The act applies to digital services that allow social interaction, user profiles, and content posting, but excludes services primarily for email, news, commerce, or career development. A significant provision requires digital service providers to verify the age of users creating accounts and to obtain express consent from a parent or guardian before allowing a "known minor" to have an account, outlining various methods for obtaining this consent. Furthermore, for accounts belonging to known minors, providers must limit the collection and use of their personal information, prohibit the collection of precise geolocation data, and restrict targeted advertising of harmful material. Sharing of a minor's personal information is also restricted, with exceptions for legal compliance and preventing illegal activity. The bill also mandates that providers make reasonable efforts to develop strategies to prevent or mitigate minors' exposure to harmful material and content promoting self-harm, substance abuse, violence, exploitation, or other illegal activities, while clarifying that this doesn't prevent minors from seeking information or providers from offering resources. Finally, while generally prohibiting private lawsuits for violations, the act allows parents or guardians of affected minors to seek a declaratory judgment or an injunction against a digital service provider, but prohibits class action lawsuits.

Business and Industry

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1619.xml