Latest news with #SB165
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Internet Safety:' Georgia lawmakers move to ban youth from social media
Georgia lawmakers want to make it illegal for anyone under the age of 14 to use social media in the name of internet safety. Senate Bill 165 would ban minors from social media and allow for parents to request social media platforms terminate the accounts of their children. More specifically, SB 165 would set up two mechanisms to keep Georgia youth offline, at least when it comes to social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and others. The bill would require social media companies to refuse account services to those who are 14 or 15 unless their parents have provided consent for them to create accounts. SB 165 also requires the companies to refuse account services to anyone younger than 14 years old and would enable parents to have their children's social accounts deleted at their request. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Georgia 'DOGE' bill gets vote in state senate, faces pushback from Democrats Delta flight reports 'haze' in cabin, returns back to Atlanta airport Gwinnett Schools not moving forward with clear backpacks, looking to add weapon detectors The bill also creates an option for parents to have their minors' personal data be deleted, increases the fine levels to cap at $50,000 per violation of the bill and create multiple ways for parents to contact social media companies to initiate any enforcement actions, regarding their children's accounts online. When parents request an account for their child be terminated, companies would have to do so within 10 days of the request, or risk fines. However, account holders are allowed to dispute the termination within 90 days of it being inititated. The bill also creates a way for teens themselves to request their accounts be terminated, and businesses must comply within five days. If an account is terminated, all personal data and information held by the company related to it must also be deleted. Social media companies must also provide parents or guardians with a list and description of features they provide to censor or moderate content on their platforms, and what features can be disabled or modified, at the request of the parents or guardians. The Georgia Attorney General will also be able to initiate enforcement actions against companies that violate the bill's provisions, if passed, including seeking damages for up to $50,000 and court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, for each violation. Those who file a claim against a company can sue for up to $10,000 in damages. Civil actions for these claims can be brought within a year of when the person suing was aware of the violation and may only be brought on behalf of a minor account holder. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky senator launches 1-2 punch to DEI policy in government, K-12
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — On the coattails of a bill filed on Wednesday by Rep. Jennifer Decker, a pair of bills filed on Friday by the Kentucky Senate aim to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy and offices in the state's government, as well as K-12 education. Sen. Lindsey Tichenor filed the bills—SB 164 and SB 165—on Thursday. Gov. Beshear declares state of emergency ahead of expected flooding: 'Dangerous conditions' SB 164 would create new sections of current state law that would prohibit any public agency from giving 'preferential treatment to people or entities based on religion, race, sex, color, or national origin when they contract or seek employment with the state or local government.' This bill is also heavily focused on state employee training, forbidding government staff in trainer roles from incentivizing diversity or inclusion initiatives on a financial or policy level, as well as terminating funding for DEI offices in local and state governments. Any state or local government body that would violate SB 164, if it gets signed into law, would reportedly be liable for civil action. SB 164 specifies that Kentucky's Office of Diversity, Equality, and Training would be simplified to 'Office of Employee Training' if the bill is signed into law. The other bill, SB 165, applies similar changes to the Kentucky Department of Education's infrastructure—amending current state laws to remove DEI positions and policies from the state's school districts. 12 years of playing pays off for Danville man with $25K a year for life lottery win National humane society leader speaks alongside state government officials at annual Frankfort summit Trump seems to question well-known part of Sen. Mitch McConnell's life — his childhood polio battle If passed, SB 165 would partially take effect Feb. 1, 2026. Both bills carry an emergency designation, meaning SB 164 and parts of SB 165 would become state law upon signature or veto override. SB 164 and SB 165 can each be viewed in their entirety on the Kentucky General Assembly website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
