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RI S2968

Bill

Status

Introduced

3/4/2026

Primary Sponsor

Louis Dipalma

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Minors under 18 in Rhode Island would require express parental or guardian consent to hold social media accounts on platforms with at least 5 million worldwide users, effective January 1, 2027

  • Social media companies must verify age for all Rhode Island account holders and block minor accounts from receiving advertising, targeted content, direct messages from non-friends, and appearing in search results to non-friends

  • Minor accounts would be restricted from access between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. unless parents modify the settings; parents must be provided password access to view all posts and messages

  • Department of Business Regulation would enforce the law with administrative fines up to $2,500 per violation, with civil penalties up to $5,000 for repeat violations; companies have 30 days to cure violations before enforcement action

  • Private right of action allows aggrieved persons to sue for $2,500 per violation or actual damages, plus attorney fees and court costs

Legislative Description

Creates the Rhode Island Social Media Regulation act, which would not permit a Rhode Island resident who is a minor to be an account holder on a social media's platform unless the minor has the express consent of a parent or guardian.

Commercial Law

Last Action

Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

3/4/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary3/4/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available