Consumer protection; software applications, age appropriateness, rules established for app developers and app distribution providers, civil penalties established

HB 219, the Access & Responsible Digital Safety Act, requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) to verify user ages when accounts are created and provide age information to app developers. It mandates that app developers must offer different experiences for minors versus adults, block minors from accessing restricted content without parental consent, and stop advertising to children. Parents gain tools to manage their children's app access, and app stores must share age data with developers only for safety purposes. Violations could trigger civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General, while app stores making good-faith efforts face limited liability. The bill directly affects app stores, developers, and parents of minors using mobile applications.