Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.
Impact
The proposed legislation would amend Title 6 of the General Laws, specifically adding a new chapter focused on the regulation of online services targeting minors. Entities that fall under the bill's definition of 'covered entities' would be required to comply with stricter data processing and privacy measures. These include implementing high-privacy defaults for children, conducting detailed data protection assessments, and limiting data collection to what is absolutely necessary. Failure to adhere could result in civil penalties administered by the attorney general, thereby impacting not only local businesses but also large corporations that provide online services in Rhode Island.
Summary
Bill S2406, known as the Age-Appropriate Design Code, aims to establish guidelines for online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by children. The legislation mandates that covered entities act in the best interest of children when developing these online offerings. The code specifies a duty for such entities to avoid any heightened risk of harm to children by implementing reasonable care in how their online products interact with minors. It introduces a framework for understanding what constitutes 'actual knowledge' regarding a child's age and outlines responsibilities for data protection assessments to enhance child safety in the digital space.
Contention
While the bill is designed to protect children from potential online harms, it may face opposition from entities concerned about the compliance burden and operational impact it may create. Some voices in the tech and legal communities may argue that the restrictions imposed could stifle innovation and limit access to online resources for children. There's also concern about the vagueness in certain terms like 'reasonable care' and 'heightened risk of harm', which may lead to uncertainty in regulatory compliance. Overall, the tension between safeguarding children online and maintaining a flexible business environment is likely to be a point of contention among stakeholders as the bill moves forward.
Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.
Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.
Provides that any disaster response worker shall, in the course of their duties, be considered a state employee and be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees.
Provides that any disaster response worker shall, in the course of their duties, be considered a state employee and be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees.
Mandates that a cannabis dispensary display the signage warning that the consumption of marijuana and THC products during pregnancy poses risks to infant development.
Creates the home-fit dwelling units act to apply to all new construction of covered dwelling units to incorporate design features that provide safe and convenient use of to the greatest extent feasible, regardless of age or physical ability.
Creates the home-fit dwelling units act to apply to all new construction of covered dwelling units to incorporate design features that provide safe and convenient use of to the greatest extent feasible, regardless of age or physical ability.