Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB170

Introduced
1/13/26  

Caption

Social media content; trust required for certain minors who are performers or featured in social media content, calculation of compensation and designation of trustee for trust provided for, procedure for adult to request removal of social media content featuring themselves as a minor required for social media companies, cause of action created against certain individuals who fail to comply with trust and social media content requirements

Impact

The bill establishes clear guidelines for calculating what constitutes a minor's earnings from social media using specific mathematical formulas. These detailed calculations aim to ensure fairness in the distribution of income derived from content that features minors. Additionally, the bill outlines scenarios where a minor's guardian may request modifications to or removal of content featuring the minor, facilitating some degree of control over their digital footprint after they reach adulthood. Moreover, it stipulates that if the payments to a trust exceed a certain amount, an external trustee may need to be appointed, further insulating the minor's financial interests from any potential mismanagement by the guardian.

Summary

House Bill 170 mandates that content creators who feature minors in their social media content must establish a trust for the minor if certain financial thresholds are met. This legislation addresses the growing concern over the financial exploitation of minors in the digital realm by ensuring that their earnings are managed responsibly. Parents or guardians of minors are tasked with the responsibility of setting up these trusts, which will manage a portion of the earnings generated from the minor's involvement in social media content. Each content creator is required to regularly assess whether any minors featured in their content meet the criteria for compensation and to notify the respective guardians accordingly.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB170 primarily revolves around the implications for content creators, who may view the bill as an additional compliance burden. Some opponents argue it could stifle creativity and the viability of certain types of content creation that involve minors. On the other hand, advocates champion the bill as a necessary step in protecting minors from potential financial abuses and ensuring they have access to their earnings once they reach adulthood. The balance between necessary regulation and the freedom of creators within the rapidly evolving digital landscape remains a point of contention within legislative discussions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL HB276

Consumer protection, requires social media platforms terminate certain accounts, display notifications, prohibit certain actions, use age verification, provide certain tools, remove certain content, penalties provided for violations

AL SB101

Consent to medical treatment; age at which minor may consent to medical treatment revised, exceptions further provided for

AL SB58

Consent to medical treatment; age at which minor may consent to medical treatment revised, exceptions further provided for

AL HB267

Consent to medical treatment; age at which minor may consent to medical treatment revised, exceptions further provided for

AL HB235

Social media, individuals under 16 years of age prohibited from creating accounts, age verification required, penalties for violations established

AL HB582

Public K-12 education; use and teaching of social-emotional learning concepts prohibited, parental consent required for certain surveys, violations constitute neglect of duty

AL SB299

Stem cell therapy; permitted in certain circumstances, notice and consent requirements provided, exceptions provided, State Board of Medical Examiners required to adopt rules

AL SB92

Public K-12 schools, cell phone policy and Internet/social media safety

AL HB166

Public K-12 schools, cell phone policy and Internet/social media safety

AL SB56

Pardons and Paroles; medical parole revised; appellate review created; medical furlough release requirements revised

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