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Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers introduce competing proposal for online age verification
Rep. Heidi Workman, R-Rootstown, (left) alongside Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, introducing their legislation. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are concerned about protecting minors on the internet, but how exactly to handle age verification has been a bit of challenge. Now, legislators are offering competing visions for determining an internet users' age. One of those visions, backed by social media companies like Facebook parent company Meta, would put the onus squarely on app stores. Another, introduced last week, shares responsibility between the app stores and app developers. A complicated system added to the 2023 state budget was summarily rejected by federal courts earlier this year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The newest proposal, House Bill 302, is sponsored by state Reps. Heidi Workman, R-Rootstown, and Phil Plummer, R-Dayton. They describe the proposal as a way to split duties between the companies building apps and the ones providing access to those apps. An app store would act as a kind of dashboard, providing a central location for parental controls, and delivering an 'age signal' to developers so they can determine what user experience is appropriate. 'These duties reflect what app stores are uniquely positioned to do,' Workman said, 'provide infrastructure, support consistency and enable parental oversight in a scalable, privacy-conscious way.' But the work doesn't end there. 'App developers who understand the intricacies of their own platforms are responsible for implementing practical protections tailored to the risks present in their apps,' she said. Plummer said their approach ensures developers get no more information than is necessary. The bill also contains safeguards against developers sharing that age information or leveraging children's data for targeted ads. Plummer said H.B. 302 is 'structured to provide meaningful protections where they're needed, without overreaching into areas where they are not.' He also said the measure is flexible enough to respond as technology grows and changes. Part of that flexibility, however, comes from seemingly vague standards and requirements in the bill's language. Apps are only 'covered' if they offer different experiences for adults and minors. Initial determinations about a user's age come down to an estimate, the nature of which is unclear. Ohio judge permanently blocks social media age verification law Companies 'may use' tools that are 'commercially reasonable' to estimate a user's age category 'with a reasonable level of certainty proportionate to the risks that arise from access to and use of the relevant service or portion thereof,' according to the bill's language. Users who are estimated to be a minor can verify their age. The bill doesn't describe how they do so. It's a notable departure from Ohio's first stab at age verification, known as the Social Media Parental Notification Act. That measure tried to pre-determine every sort of website where adult content might be available, while drafting exceptions for news or commerce sites. When he put that law on hold, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley called it a 'breathtakingly blunt instrument.' Marbley permanently enjoined the measure last April. Running parallel to Workman and Plummer's proposal is a competing measure sponsored by state Rep. Melanie Miller, R-Ashland, and state Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester. Miller and Reynolds want to put the responsibility for age verification and parental consent on the app store. Meta strongly supports the legislation. Ohio Republicans propose new social media age verification plan Jennifer Hanley, who heads up North American safety policy for the company told Ohio lawmakers understanding a user's age is 'fundamental' to providing age-appropriate content, but insisted that responsibility shouldn't fall on her company. 'We think the easiest, most consistent, and most privacy-protective solution is to require app stores to verify age and get a parent's approval any time a teen wants to download an app,' Hanley said. The method compares to a person buying a six-pack of Budweiser at a store – they show their ID to the cashier, not to the beer company. If app stores are a one-stop-shop for all the games, messaging and social media services a person will download, the app store, not the app company, would determine the age. But companies who operate app stores, most notably Apple and Google, are uncomfortable with carrying that much responsibility. As Plummer put it, 'app stores can provide consistent tools (and) centralized access points, but they should not be forced to manage risk they cannot fully access.' Speaking after the hearing introducing the bill, Workman acknowledged they've been working with app store companies to develop their legislation. She said they wanted to 'bring all stakeholders to the table.' Workman said those companies believe the proposal offers a workable solution, but no other state has actually implemented the provisions. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Local rep introduces bill to prevent catalytic converter theft
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A local State Representative has introduced legislation to help prevent the theft of catalytic converters. State Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) introduced House Bill 210 on Tuesday. This bill aims to control and prevent issues related to stolen catalytic converters. 'Catalytic converter theft has plagued our communities for some time,' said Rep. Plummer. 'This senseless crime creates a financial burden for both individuals and businesses in our community. It is now time to hold these individuals accountable.' If passed, this legislation aims to enhance penalties for theft and receiving stolen property of catalytic converters as well as require scrap metal dealers to comply with recordkeeping requirements. The bill is currently being reviewed by House committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to create criminal offense for harassing first responders introduced
Two local lawmakers introduced a bill that would make harassing first responders a criminal offense in Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] State Representatives Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township) introduced House Bill 20. TRENDING STORIES: 2 winning Powerball tickets sold in Ohio; $551M jackpot won 1 seriously injured in crash involving 14-year-old driver Injuries reported after vehicle crashes into ditch in Dayton Both representatives said the bill was created to make sure first responders can safely and efficiently complete their work during emergencies The legislation would set a 14-foot perimeter around first responders on the scene of an emergency, according to the bill analysis. Those who approach or remain in the perimeter after a warning could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor offense. The bill defines harassment as any behavior directed at a first responder that could cause 'substantial emotional distress' or interfere with their 'ability to lawfully perform a legal duty.' 'As a former Sheriff, I understand the high stress situations our first responders can come across, and to alleviate any of those stressors allows for first responders to better address any given situation,' Plummer said. 'This bill simply allows first responders to focus on their duties and protect our community.' The bill also looks to add probation officers to the definition of emergency service responder in Ohio, according to the analysis. 'This is common sense legislation to allow our first responders the space to do their jobs,' Hall said. 'Our first responders' – police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and others – ability to safely and efficiently carry out their duties is essential to the functioning of our society.' The bill remains in the House Public Safety Committee for hearings and could be subject to changes. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
URS to host art walk on Friday
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – United Rehabilitation Services (URS) to host an art walk to celebrate the talent of people living with disabilities. In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the walk will take place on Friday, March 14 at URS, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The collection of inspired art was created by both kids and adults at URS. Distinguished guests include many local legislators such as Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge, Representative Phil Plummer, Representative Andrea White, Mayor Jeffrey Mims, City of Riverside Council Member Sara Lommatzsch and City of Riverside Council Member Brenda Fry are all expected to attend. The event will start with a breakfast at 9:15 a.m. It will be followed by a guided tour of the exhibits and will finish with a performance by the children of URS. URS aims to empower its clients to share their voices and unique perspectives. To learn more about URS visit here or call (937) 233-1230. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
