Technology (Data Privacy)

HB 2772 creates three new consumer protection laws in Kansas. The Age-Appropriate Design Code Act requires businesses to assess and reduce risks of compulsive digital product use among minors, set privacy settings for minors to the highest default level, and give consumers control over their personal data. The Stopping Likeness Abuse Act establishes a private right of action for individuals whose digital likenesses are used without consent. The Saving Human Connection Act mandates transparency in chatbot interactions, prohibits deceptive practices, and holds chatbot providers liable for injuries caused by their products. These provisions directly affect digital businesses, chatbot providers, and Kansas residents using digital services.

HB 2657 requires social media platforms to block children under 16 from creating, maintaining, or accessing accounts without verified parental permission. Platforms must implement reliable age-verification systems that minimize data collection and suspend accounts of minors until consent is confirmed. Parents or guardians can revoke consent anytime or request account deletion. The Kansas Attorney General enforces this under the state’s consumer protection law, treating violations as deceptive acts without requiring proof of a transaction. The bill directly affects minors under 16, social media companies, and parents/guardians managing children’s online access.

HB 2438 requires Kansas voters to use only .gov websites or Secretary of State-approved sites to submit online voter registration applications. Approved sites must use strong encryption, verify applications reach county election offices, and cannot sell, share, or store voter data beyond what's needed for registration. The bill directly affects online voter registration processes and website operators handling voter information, aiming to standardize security and data privacy for electronic applications.

SB 350 establishes grade-level rules for school-issued digital devices in Kansas public schools (K-12), directly affecting students, schools, and parents. It bans digital devices entirely for K-5 (requiring print-based instruction), restricts shared device use with time limits (max 1 hour/day) and blocks social media for grades 6-8, and allows issued devices for grades 9-12 with strict safety settings (blocking social media, disabling cameras, limiting use to 90 minutes/day). The bill mandates schools to provide media literacy instruction on digital health risks and requires parental opt-out for device issuance, home use, or digital testing. Schools must delete personal data between student uses and maintain safety standards for all devices.

HB 2214, the SAVE Act, limits fees charged by non-governmental advocates helping veterans navigate benefits claims. It prohibits upfront or nonrefundable fees and caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase if a claim succeeds. The bill requires written agreements, mandates specific disclosures that the service isn't affiliated with the VA or free government programs, and bans guarantees of specific benefits. It also includes data privacy rules for advocates handling veterans' personal information, such as requiring criminal background checks for staff accessing medical or financial data. The law applies to individuals or businesses charging for veterans benefits assistance, excluding VA-accredited representatives.

HB 2319 allows Kansas' Division of Vehicles to create or contract with entities to provide optional digital versions of driver's licenses and ID cards through a secure electronic system. It requires strict privacy protections, prohibiting contractors from selling or sharing personal data without explicit consent, and mandates that digital IDs display only essential information for specific transactions ("limited profile"). The bill also sets security standards (like encryption) for transmitting digital IDs and requires users to already hold a physical license or ID card before accessing the digital version. This affects Kansas residents who choose to use the digital ID option for transactions like age verification.