DE HB261

Creates Chapter 12C (Child Online Protection Act) establishing requirements for operators of websites, online services, applications, or mobile applications directed to children or with actual knowledge that children use them.

Requires operators to permit registered users to remove content they posted as a child and provide clear notice and instructions on the removal process, with exceptions for legally mandated content, content posted by others, anonymized content, and content not following provided instructions.

Prohibits operators of child-directed platforms from marketing or advertising alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, firearms, fireworks, gambling, drug paraphernalia, tattoos, sexually-oriented material, and 14 other specified products or services.

Requires operators to establish age verification systems reasonably capable of identifying the age of prospective or registered users who are children and collecting personally identifiable information.

Designates violations as Consumer Fraud Act violations enforceable by the Attorney General and private action, with effective date of one year after enactment.