Parents Decide Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8250
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-23T18:49:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Parents Decide Act" (H.R. 8250) aims to protect minors online by requiring operating system (OS) providers—such as those for computers, phones, or other devices—to verify users' ages. It ensures parents or legal guardians approve access for children under 18, giving parents more control over what their kids can access.
Key Provisions
- Age Verification Requirements:
- All users must provide their date of birth (DOB) to set up an account or use the OS.
- For users under 18, a parent or legal guardian must verify the DOB.
- App Developer Access: OS providers must allow app developers (creators of software apps) to access necessary age information to verify users of their apps.
- Safe Harbor: OS providers are protected from liability if they follow the law's rules.
- Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under the FTC Act, with standard FTC penalties.
- Regulations: FTC must issue rules within 180 days on:
- Verifying parents' DOBs.
- Handling shared devices with users of different ages.
- Secure data collection and protection to prevent breaches or privacy risks.
- App access to age data and parental controls.
- Reporting: FTC briefs Congress at 180 days and submits a report at 18 months on compliance and recommendations.
- Effective Date: Takes effect 1 year after enactment.
- Definitions: Includes "app" (software on devices), "app developer," "OS," and "OS provider."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new federal mandates on OS providers for mandatory age verification, which were not previously required at the national level.
- Expands FTC authority to enforce age checks as unfair/deceptive acts, similar to consumer protection rules, without creating a new agency.
- Adds data protection standards specifically for DOB collection in OS contexts.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: FTC gains enforcement duties, rulemaking, and reporting obligations, increasing workload.
- Citizens:
- Parents gain tools to control children's device access.
- Users (especially minors) face barriers to anonymous or unverified use; raises privacy risks from DOB storage.
- Businesses: OS providers (e.g., Apple, Google, Microsoft) and app developers must invest in verification systems, data security, and compliance, potentially raising costs passed to consumers.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but could affect global tech firms operating in the U.S. by imposing U.S.-specific requirements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- OS Providers (e.g., companies developing software for phones/computers).
- App Developers (creators of apps available in the U.S.).
- Parents and Legal Guardians (gain verification/control roles).
- Minors under 18 (require parental approval for OS use).
- FTC (leads enforcement and rulemaking).
- General Users (must provide DOB for access).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Leverages existing FTC Act for enforcement, providing clear penalties but relying on future regulations for details; includes liability protection to encourage compliance.
- Constitutional: Could face challenges over privacy rights (e.g., compelled DOB disclosure) or free speech (restrictions on anonymous access), though framed as child protection.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrat and Republican); emphasizes parental rights, potentially advancing broader online child safety debates without banning content.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-04-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Parents Decide Act — issued 2026-04-13 — PDF (6 pages)