SB 187 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Consumer protection, app store providers and developers required to take certain actions related to age verification and parental consent, Attorney General authorized to bring action for violations as deceptive trade practice, parents authorized to bring civil action

SB 187 requires app store providers to verify the age of users and obtain verifiable parental consent for minors to download or purchase apps and make in-app purchases. It mandates that app stores affiliate minor accounts with parent accounts and notify both users and parents of significant app changes, requiring renewed parental consent for minors. The bill also requires app store providers to share age and consent status with developers and protect personal age verification data. Violations can be pursued by the Attorney General as deceptive trade practices.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action May 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 17, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduced version to the engrossed version, incorporating substantive changes to definitions, requirements, and enforcement provisions related to age verification and parental consent for app stores. These changes clarify terminology, expand data protection requirements, and modify how app store providers must handle minor accounts and parental consent.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on app store providers and developers in Alabama, but the engrossed version adds more detailed definitions and expands certain obligations.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'PARENT ACCOUNT', 'PARENTAL CONSENT DISCLOSURE', 'SIGNIFICANT CHANGE', and 'VERIFIABLE PARENTAL CONSENT' to clarify requirements for age verification and parental consent processes.

Removed the original definition of 'PARENT' that listed only biological parents, legal guardians, and individuals with legal custody, replacing it with a more comprehensive definition that includes these categories.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for app store providers to notify parents when consent is revoked and to provide three types of real-time data access to developers (age category data, parental consent status, and revocation notifications).

Expanded the definition of 'SIGNIFICANT CHANGE' to include alterations to age ratings or content descriptions in addition to changes in data collection, monetization features, and functionality.

Added specific requirements for app store providers to protect personal age verification data by limiting data collection and using industry-standard encryption protocols.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 1, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Committee in Second House (State Government)

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Children and Senior Advocacy)

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 749

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 748

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Petition to Cease Debate - Adopted Roll Call 747

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Chambliss 1st Substitute Offered

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Chambliss motion to Table - Adopted Voice Vote

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Children and Youth Health 1st Amendment Offered (Children and Youth Health)

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Children and Youth Health 1st Amendment (Children and Youth Health)

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Children and Youth Health)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors