HB318 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Consumer protection; filter requirements on Internet enabled devices, penalties for violation

Summary

HB318 would require certain internet-enabled devices to include a password-protected filter that activates for minors at setup, with penalties for manufacturers that fail to comply.

What This Bill Does

Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers of smartphones and tablets manufactured for use in Alabama must ensure the device has a filter that activates for minors during activation and setup, determines the user’s age, and requires a password to deactivate or reactivate. The filter must block access to obscene content, notify the user when a block occurs, and allow the user to deactivate or reactivate the filter with a password. If a device is activated in Alabama and lacks a compliant filter and a minor accesses obscene material, the manufacturer can face civil liability and penalties; the act also allows private actions by parents and empowers the Attorney General to enforce the law.

Who It Affects

• Manufacturers of smartphones and tablets: must include a compliant filter on devices activated in Alabama and may face civil penalties per device for violations.
• Minors and their parents/guardians: protections and potential private actions for noncompliance; minors are subject to the filter during activation.
• Retailers: not held liable under this act, but may be affected by device availability and enforcement actions.
• Attorney General and state authorities: responsible for enforcement, including injunctions, penalties, costs, and related proceedings.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: From January 1, 2027, devices manufactured for use in Alabama must have a filter that activates during initial setup, determines a user’s age, keeps the filter on for minors, allows a password to deactivate/reactivate, and notifies the user when a block prevents access.
• Provision 2: Manufacturers face civil liability if a device activated in Alabama lacks a compliant filter and a minor accesses obscene content; penalties up to $5,000 per violation with a $50,000 aggregate cap, plus attorney's fees and costs; the Attorney General can seek injunctions, licenses revocation, and pursue other relief, and parents/guardians can sue for private remedies including damages; retailers are not liable under this act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Consumer Protection