Latest news with #SenateBill611
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas Senate approves proposed changes to blocked social media age verification law
Sen. Missy Irvin (left), R-Mountain View, asks a question about Senate Bill 611, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Dees (right), R-Siloam Springs, on the Senate floor on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) The Arkansas House will consider a proposed amendment to the state's enjoined social media age verification law after the legislation received Senate approval Monday. Additionally, the Senate will vote Tuesday on a bill that would create a right for parents to sue social media platforms if their child develops eating disorders, self-harms, commits or attempts suicide, or becomes addicted to the platform's feeds because of content the child was exposed to. Sen. Tyler Dees, R-Siloam Springs, and Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, introduced both bills last week. Senate Bill 611 would amend Act 689 of 2023, the Social Media Safety Act, which was the first of its kind in the nation and required social media platforms to verify the age of new account holders in Arkansas. Those under 18 could only access sites with parental permission. A federal judge temporarily blocked Act 689 in August 2023, before it went into effect, and permanently blocked the law March 31 for violating the First Amendment and the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution. The amendments to Act 689 in SB 611 more clearly define social media and apply the definition to more platforms, lower the age of minor users from under 18 to under 16 years old, prohibit social media algorithms from targeting minors, and add a penalty for companies that do not comply. 'There still is reasonable age-verification language, but it puts more emphasis on the social media company to make sure that they are not preying on the youth,' Dees said. SB 611 passed the Senate with a bipartisan 21 votes. Four senators voted present and seven did not vote. Sens. Ricky Hill, R-Cabot; Jim Dotson, R-Bentonville; and Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, voted against the bill. Arkansas Legislature passes social media age verification bill over privacy, speech concerns Hill expressed the same concerns he did in 2023 before he voted against Act 689. 'I know I'm not going to change any of y'all's minds, but I do want you to think about the slippery slope we're walking on,' Hill said. '…If you want to limit the freedom of speech, go ahead and continue to vote for this.' Dees said SB 611 would not result in withholding content but instead would 'protect our most vulnerable.' 'We're trying to make sure that the profits of these social media companies don't come before the protection of our children,' Dees said. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the Social Media Safety Act a priority during her first year in office. In January, she called on lawmakers to amend the law and to give parents the right to take legal action against technology companies if their children experience mental health crises, such as suicidal ideation, tied to social media consumption. No members of the public spoke for or against Senate Bill 612, the private right of action bill, before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which passed the bill with no audible dissent Monday. Under SB 612, a social media platform could be held accountable for 'placing content on the feed, screen, account, or other digital medium of the minor that causes the minor to view the content without explicitly searching for that specific content and includes algorithmic promotion of the content based on a previous search or engagement' if viewing the content leads to 'significant bodily or cognitive harm.' Dees told both the committee and the full Senate that technology companies have contacted him asking for the bills to be amended so it would not be applicable to them. He said he is open to amending the bill but does not want to accommodate billion-dollar companies that have 'neglected our youth.' SB 611 and SB 612 both establish a civil penalty of $10,000 per violation. The penalty for violating the Social Media Safety Act was originally $2,500 per violation. Sens. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, and Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, both asked Dees during the committee meeting how a plaintiff would prove under SB 612 that a social media platform 'knowingly' caused intangible harm to a minor. Whether a platform leads a minor to 'develop or sustain an addiction' to it, as SB 612 states, is 'a little tougher to prove' than a suicide attempt or an eating disorder 'without getting inside someone's head,' Tucker said. Dees said SB 612 is 'the framework to have that discussion' and creates a process for the courts to decide 'if there's damaging aspects that have taken place as a result of an interaction with Big Tech.' Dees and Eubanks also sponsored the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, which Sanders signed in February, that bans personal electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, in schools. In March, a bipartisan majority of House members approved two bills that mimic stalled federal legislation aimed at regulating companies' online interactions with children. Lead sponsor Rep. Zack Gramlich, R-Fort Smith, told the Advocate he does not expect to proceed with one of them, the Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The other bill is House Bill 1717, the Arkansas Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act. Gramlich said he is amending the bill and hopes to present it to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. HB 1717 would ban technology companies from collecting data from Arkansas minors except under specific circumstances, such as for financial transactions. They would also be barred from retaining that data and disclosing it to third parties that use the information in advertising targeted to children. Editor's Note: If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bills would amend Arkansas social media law, create right for parents to sue platforms
After a federal judge blocked Arkansas' online safety law for children, two legislators filed a bill to amend the law to address its challenges and another bill to give parents the right to sue social media platforms if they violate the law. () Two days after a federal judge permanently blocked Arkansas' Social Media Safety Act, state lawmakers filed two bills Wednesday aimed at expanding social media protections for children. Senate Bill 611 would amend Act 689 of 2023 (the Social Media Safety Act), apparently to address some of the judge's reasons for ruling as he did. Act 689 was the first of its kind in the nation and was a priority of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in her first year in office. It required social media platforms to verify the age of new account holders in Arkansas. Those under 18 could only access sites with parental permission. Senate Bill 612 would create a right for parents to sue social media platforms if their child develops eating disorders, self-harms, commits or tries to commit suicide, or becomes addicted to the platform's feeds because of content the child was exposed to. Both bills establish a civil penalty of $10,000 per violation. Sen. Tyler Dees, R-Siloam Springs, and Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, are chief sponsors of both bills. In January, Sanders called on the Legislature to amend the Social Media Safety Act so it wouldn't be held up in court any longer. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas had temporarily blocked it in August 2023, shortly before it was to take effect. Brooks on Monday ruled that law violated the First Amendment and the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution. Sanders also asked lawmakers in January to create a right for parents to sue social media platforms if their children kill themselves because of content encouraging them to self-harm. The governor noted the presence of a woman in the gallery whose child died by suicide. In a press release Wednesday announcing the filing of SB 611 and 612, Sanders noted that Arkansas 'has led the nation on commonsense, conservative reforms to protect kids online, and these additional protections continue that effort.' 'Moms and dads whose kids have fallen victim to Big Tech deserve the right to take action against these abusive companies – and Arkansas law should protect kids so they aren't subjected to toxic material in the first place.' Eubanks and Dees echoed Sanders' comments. 'This legislation keeps our children safe online, and puts their safety where it should be — in the hands of parents,' Eubanks said in the press release. SB 612 'establishes a private right of action for parents whose child commits suicide or attempts suicide because of his or her exposure to toxic material on social media, allowing them to sue abusive Big Tech companies in state court,' Sanders' press release says. The amendments to Act 689 in SB 611 more clearly define social media and apply the definition to more platforms, lower the age of minor users to 16, prohibit social media algorithms from targeting minors, and add a penalty for companies that do not comply, according to the press release. The regulations would apply only to new accounts, it said. This new legislation follows Sanders' signing of the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act in February that bans personal electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, in schools. That bill was also sponsored by Dees and Eubanks. Editor's Note: If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
‘Hungry people … is a policy choice': What Food For All Oregonians bill could do to help
Oregon Food Bank President Andrea Williams told a coalition gathered Monday at the Oregon Capitol hunger in the state is at its worst since the Great Depression as a bill aimed at combating food insecurity was introduced. Senate Bill 611, known as Food For All Oregonians, looks to address food insecurity in youth, elderly and immigrant communities. It also seeks to provide "nutritional assistance" to Oregonians under 26 or over 55 and those who would qualify for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program but don't because of their immigration status. "It's going to take policy change to end hunger for good," Williams told the Food for All Oregonians Coalition gathered at the Capitol during her State of Hunger Address. State Sen. Wlnsvey Campos, D-Portland and chief sponsor of the bill, said she is confident the bill is 'scalable.' A similar bill that died in the Joint Ways and Means Committee in 2023 didn't mention the program applying to specific ages, while the new one does. "Immigrants have long been a cornerstone of our nation, and I firmly believe they should be treated as such," Campos said. "They're human beings who also should be able to have that food access." Food insecurity in Oregon The Oregon Food Bank saw a 31% increase — 2.5 million people — seeking food assistance throughout their network in 2024 compared to the previous year. Williams said their meals are not enough to support growing demand and expects this trend to continue if something isn't done. They are also distributing more pounds of food now than during the pandemic, about 110 million pounds annually. "The Oregon Food Bank and our network of regional food banks can and will do everything in our power to feed individuals and families today, but that doesn't mean it's going to end tomorrow," Williams said. "We must address the root causes of hunger." Williams said those root causes are the systems and policies that keep people from having access to food, inflation and stagnant wages. There is also concern about what changes the Trump administration could make to social services. "We saw food insecurity take a little dip, and some need leveling off when the government was providing cash assistance," Williams said. "So we know that it's a policy choice. Poverty is a policy choice. Hungry people in this wealthy nation is a policy choice." What the Food for All Oregonians legislation would do The Oregon Food Bank and the Food for All Oregonians Coalition, which is comprised of more than 160 organizations, want food assistance to extend to immigrants "who play a vital role in Oregon's economy." A study published by the Institution of Taxation and Economic Policy found that undocumented immigrants contributed almost $97 billion in total taxes paid in 2022. In Oregon, their contributions were more than $353 million. Only citizens and certain noncitizens are eligible for SNAP. This does not include foreign students, H-1 visa holders, certain U visa holders and immigrants with temporary protected status. About 62,000 Oregonians are excluded from SNAP due to their immigration status, Williams said. The Oregon Hunger Task Force is recommending legislation to create a state-funded food assistance program that eliminates the immigration-based exclusion in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Six states have a special program that makes noncitizens eligible for SNAP assistance: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota and Washington, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Decades of research shows that participating in SNAP leads to positive outcomes in homelessness prevention, education and early learning," said Christina Bodamer, Oregon Hunger Task Force member. The Food for All Oregonians bill is a part of the larger Immigrant Justice Package, which includes universal representation, farmwork disaster relief, housing assistance and language justice. Andrea Vanessa Garcia, Food for All Oregonians Coalition representative, urged people to email their legislators to support the legislation. The bill was set to be presented during the Oregon Hunger Task Force's legislative hearing on Tuesday. Alexander Banks is an intern at the Statesman Journal. Reach him at abanks@
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Food for All Oregonians bill proposes nutrition assistance despite immigration status
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Amid a federal crackdown on immigration, an Oregon bill proposes offering Oregonians nutrition assistance despite their immigration status. On Monday, the held a press conference outside of the Oregon State Capitol, advocating for Senate Bill 611, the Food for All Oregonians bill. The bipartisan bill — cosponsored by state Sen. Wlnsvey Campos (D-District 18-Aloha) and Rep. Ricki Ruiz (D-District 50-Gresham) — would create the Food for All Oregonians program in the Department of Human Services. That program would offer nutrition assistance to Oregonians who would qualify for federal benefits if not for their immigration status. Oregon one of the worst states for retirement, WalletHub says Under the bill, the department would be required to implement the program by January 1, 2027, and would be open for Oregon residents who are under 26 years of age or over 55 years of age. 'This is a bill that creates a state-based program that provides food assistance to Oregonians who are currently excluded from federal SNAP programming – these are mostly our immigrant and refugee communities,' said Andrea Williams, president of the Oregon Food Bank. 'It's already been a very challenging year for Oregonians and it's only January,' Williams said. 'People are hurting, rent is high, food is ever more expensive and of course many families are living in fear and uncertainty due to the recent changes coming from our federal government.' City of Portland to auction foreclosed blighted properties at public sale 'We know that when times are tough, it's also an opportunity for us to come together. With our community at Oregon Food Bank, we are rising for all to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead to ensure that every Oregonian has access to the food and resources they need to thrive,' Williams added. According to OFB, one-in-eight Oregonians are experiencing hunger and one-in-six kids do not have enough to eat. 'This growing need is reflected in what we are experiencing at food banks across Oregon,' Williams said, noting, OFB saw 1.5 million people visit their food assistance sites in 2024, marking a 31% increase from the previous year. 'We are in the worst rate of hunger and food insecurity since The Great Depression,' Williams said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The OFB president noted the urgency to pass the bill comes as the Trump administration has proposed cuts to federal nutrition assistance programs, as The New York Times reports Trump has sought to reduce SNAP eligibility and to partly replace benefits with food boxes. 'I know first-hand how critical it is for Oregon to lead with compassion and determination – ensuring that every person in our state has the support they need to not just survive but to thrive,' Sen. Campos said during the press conference. 'No one, no matter their background, their zip code, or their circumstances should ever have to go to bed hungry.' Campos also lauded the bill's bipartisan support, noting, 'Hunger is not a partisan issue. It's a human issue.' 'By passing this legislation, we have the opportunity to do something extraordinary: to show the nation what it means to lead with empathy, to honor the dignity of every single human being and to ensure that no Oregonian is left behind,' Campos said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon advocates seek state food aid for immigrants excluded by feds
Farmworker Francisca Aparicio washes lettuce in July 2023 as part of an Oregon Food Bank program. The Food Bank and other advocates back a bill that would make food benefits available to more immigrants. (Oregon Food Bank) Oregon lawmakers and food advocates are starting smaller this year in their bid to make cash food benefits available to immigrants who are ineligible under federal rules. After failing to get a bill passed in 2023, they've narrowed the group who would be eligible for state aid to children and youth and older people at risk of hunger. In 2023, supporters unsuccessfully lobbied for the passage of a proposal that would have provided state funding to provide food benefits to about 62,000 immigrants. Food for All Oregonians, a coalition of more than 160 organizations and the Oregon Food Bank, wants to see all immigrants get the food benefits they would otherwise qualify for through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 770,000 Oregonians receive SNAP food benefits, representing nearly 447,000 households. In November, $138.4 million in benefits were issued for food, an average of $309 a month for each family. To qualify, individuals can earn up to $2,510 and a family of four can earn up to $5,200 a month. On Monday, advocates said they are pushing for a scaled-down version, Senate Bill 611, that would provide state-funded food benefits to immigrants who are under 26 years old or 55 and older and are ineligible for SNAP benefits because of their immigrant status. The 2023 bill which died in a budget subcommittee, would have included all ineligible immigrants, regardless of their age. 'This bill isn't just about food — it's about building a stronger, more equitable Oregon where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,' said Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha, and a chief sponsor of the bill. The group includes undocumented immigrants and residents under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. It also includes legal permanent residents who have not yet been in the U.S. for five years, which generally is required for SNAP benefits. 'Our seniors who are very vulnerable to food insecurity, and our children – those are the two populations that this particular bill is focused on,' Andrea Williams, president of the Oregon Food Bank, said in an interview. Now we don't want to stop there. We would eventually like every age.' Advocates don't yet know how many people of the 62,000 fall within the two age groups, or what the costs would be. The Oregon Latino Health Coalition, part of the coalition, noted the role of immigrants in working to provide food for Oregonians, even as they cannot access SNAP. 'Access to nourishing food is a fundamental aspect of health,' said Andrea Vanessa Castillo, policy and advocacy manager at Oregon Latino Health Coalition. 'Immigrants and refugees are vital — they help put food on the table for families across our state. Yet, they remain excluded from essential benefits like SNAP.' Outside the SNAP program, demand for food assistance is high. Oregonians made 2.5 million visits in 2024 to the Oregon Food Bank network's 1,400 sites, an increase of 31%. They distributed nearly 100 million pounds. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
