The LCI full committee favorably reported Senate Bill S.268 and companion House Bill H.3431, which would add a chapter to Title 39 creating an age-appropriate design code for online platforms used by minors, after adopting an amendment that exempts traditional streaming services.

Rebecca, a committee staff member, summarized the bills as a package that "would regulate social media use for minors" and listed provisions including data-protection and design controls, parental tools, restrictions on targeted advertising, transparency and reporting requirements, and enforcement by the Attorney General.

The senator from Dorchester, who sponsored the bills, framed the measure as a response to growing evidence of harm to youth tied to social-media design. "We have an epidemic going on right now with our youth, of of some real damage being done by social media. I I don't think it's it's arguable anymore," the senator said, adding that the bills aim to set parameters so platforms produce "a product that's safe for teens to use" without prescribing specific technical implementations.

A central enforcement question discussed was whether only the Attorney General should bring enforcement actions or whether solicitors or private parties should be allowed to sue. "The inclusion of the attorney general in this respect is not so much for his criminal authority, but for his civil authority," one senator said, explaining the committee's choice to limit enforcement to civil suits by the Attorney General rather than local solicitors.

Committee members expressed widespread concern about platform design that may target vulnerable minors and weaken parental controls. Members cited testimony received at prior subcommittee hearings from teachers, principals and medical professionals describing increased anxiety, depression and other harms among adolescents tied to social-media use.

The sponsor offered an amendment to explicitly exempt subscription-based streaming services (for example, Netflix or Paramount"-style services) from the bill's coverage so that the text is narrowly tailored to interactive social-media products. The amendment passed by voice vote and was then applied to both the senate and house bills. The sponsor moved that the committee give both bills a favorable report; the motion passed, and both bills were reported out favorably as amended.

Committee document and next steps: the bills, as amended, move to the legislative floor for further debate. Members said they intend to continue work on some language and potential additional floor amendments, including the scope of enforcement and any private right of action.

Votes and formal actions described in the committee record appear to have been taken by voice vote; the committee adopted the streaming-service exemption and reported both bills favorably as amended.