Image: Bill Co-Sponsor Rep. Jake McCalmon presents the bill to the subcommittee. Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Tennessee House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee voted to pass legislation that would require social media platforms to use age verification on accounts and obtain parental consent for minors to use those platforms.
House Bill 1891 (HB1891) was introduced by Co-Prime Sponsor Representative Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin-63).
The bill, referred to as the “Protecting Children from Social Media Act,” would also require social media companies to “verify the express parental consent for the minor to become or continue as an account holder” if someone under 18 wants to use the platform.
McCalmon acknowledged that an amendment to the bill provided some clarifying language while also exempting commerce platforms such as Ebay, Venmo, and Paypal from the requirements.
He also noted that there were five states that had passed similar legislation and that four of those states had been sued by social media companies for unnecessary burden. If the Tennessee legislation is passed, the body would leave it up to companies to decided how to implement the requirements, much like Louisiana has already done. Louisiana is the only state that has not been sued.
With no questions on the bill, Chairman Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville-District 95) called for a voice vote. The bill passed with ayes prevailing. No member asked to be recorded as voting against the bill.
The bill has been placed on the House Commerce Committee’s agenda for March 5.
