PRINTER'S NO. 3605
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2553
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MERCURI, PICKETT, PARKER AND SCIALABBA,
SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND
UTILITIES, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387),
entitled "An act prohibiting unfair methods of competition
and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of
any trade or commerce, giving the Attorney General and
District Attorneys certain powers and duties and providing
penalties," prohibiting the use of social media platforms by
minors.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387),
known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law,
is amended by adding a section read:
Section 9.5. Prohibition on Use of Social Media Platforms by
Minors.--(a) A social media company shall prohibit an
individual who is younger than 14 years of age from using the
company's social media platform.
(b) A social media platform shall have the following duties:
(1) Require the social media platform's users to use an
account to access the social media platform.
(2) Certify that each account is held by an individual who
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is at least 14 years of age.
(c) A social media platform shall verify the age of an
account holder by requiring that the account holder provide a
copy of the account holder's driver's license and an additional
photo identification showing both the account holder and the
driver's license in a manner that allows the social media
company to verify the identity of the account holder.
(d) A social media company may only use the personal
information provided under subsection (c) for age verification
purposes. The social media company shall delete the personal
information immediately upon completion of the age verification
process.
(e) No later than ten days after receiving a request from a
parent, a social media company shall delete the account of the
parent's child and cease the further use or maintenance in
retrievable form, or the future online collection, of the
personal information collected from the child's account on the
company's social media platform. The social media company shall
provide a reasonable, accessible and verifiable means by which a
parent can make a request under this subsection.
(f) A social media company commits a violation of this
section if the social media company knowingly:
(1) allows a minor to use the company's platform in a manner
prohibited under subsection (a);
(2) uses or retains personal information in a manner
prohibited under subsection (d) or (e); or
(3) fails to remove an account as required under subsection
(e).
(g) The Attorney General shall enforce the provisions of
this section. Violations committed under subsection (f) shall be
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considered u nfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive
acts or practices and shall be subject to the penalties imposed
under this act.
(h) This section shall apply to an individual who is younger
than 14 years of age upon the amendment of the definition of
"child" in 15 U.S.C. ยง 6501 (relating to definitions) as
necessary to implement this section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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