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Republican Attacks Kids’ Algorithm Bill in Pennsylvania

An age-appropriate social media design bill that Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering is unenforceable because of its vague language about protecting children, House Children and Youth ranking member Barry Jozwiak (R) said Wednesday. The committee planned to vote on the Online…

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Safety Protection Act (HB-1879) but postponed the motion over Jozwiak's technical objections. Introduced by Chair Donna Bullock (D), HB-1879 would require companies that design platforms a child will “likely" access do so with the “best interest” of children in mind. In addition, it would require age-appropriate design standards similar to provisions included in California’s enjoined social media design law (see 2311160059). Committee staff said Google supports the legislation in Pennsylvania. Google didn’t comment Wednesday. Jozwiak said he has received three pages of questions and concerns from Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry (D) about the bill’s “overly broad” terms and definitions. The measure is “essentially unenforceable” against entities that don’t gather “actual knowledge” of ages, and the AG lacks the resources to enforce it as written, he said. He formally filed to have the legislation tabled. That motion failed on a 14-11 party-line vote. Committee members had several weeks to file amendments and work with sponsors, Bullock said. Joziak argued consideration of the legislation would be out of order because a Bullock amendment was received at 1:22 p.m. Tuesday, and committee rules dictate that the deadline is 1 p.m. Bullock conferred with committee staff and ultimately tabled the bill. Her amendment would alter some language, including terms like “best interests of a child.” The amendment would extend the effective date of the legislation to December 2025.