SB 2420 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.

SB 2420 requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages using reasonable methods and assign them to specific categories: child (<13), younger teenager (13-15), older teenager (16-17), or adult (18+). It mandates parental consent for minors' accounts and defines key terms like "personal data" and "mobile device." The law directly affects app store operators serving Texas residents, with requirements taking effect January 1, 2026. This bill creates the "App Store Accountability Act" within Texas law to regulate age-based access to mobile applications.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Mar 13, 2025 Signed May 27, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · May 27, 2025

MODERATE

The bill text was converted from an 'Engrossed' version to an 'Enrolled' version, which is the final version signed into law. The substantive policy content of the App Store Accountability Act remains unchanged, though the formatting was cleaned up and a new Section 121.026(g) was added requiring app stores to notify parents when software changes occur.

TECHNICAL

Removed formatting artifacts, page numbers, and draft metadata from the Engrossed version to produce the clean Enrolled text.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 121.026(g) requiring app stores to notify parents when software changes significantly and to obtain renewed consent for continued use.

TIMELINE

Added Section 3 establishing that the Act takes effect on January 1, 2026.

ENFORCEMENT

Added Section 121.101 classifying violations as deceptive trade practices and Section 121.102 confirming remedies are cumulative with other laws.

Introduced → Engrossed · 9 edits · Apr 16, 2025

MAJOR

This bill introduces new regulations for app stores and software developers in Texas to protect minors from inappropriate content and unauthorized purchases. The changes add comprehensive age verification requirements, parental consent mechanisms, age rating systems, and data protection standards. The legislation also establishes civil liability for violations and creates exemptions for emergency services and educational software.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory requirements to apply to app store operators and software developers operating in Texas, creating new obligations for age verification, parental consent, and content ratings that did not previously exist.

REQUIREMENT

New age verification requirements mandate that app stores verify user ages and assign age categories (child, younger teenager, older teenager, adult) when users create accounts.

Parental consent is now required before minors can download, purchase, or make purchases using software applications, with consent obtained through parent or guardian accounts.

App stores must display age ratings and content notices for each software application available for download or purchase.

Software developers must assign age ratings to their applications and provide specific information about content that led to those ratings to app stores.

Personal data protection requirements mandate limiting data collection to minimum necessary amounts and using industry-standard encryption protocols.

Exemptions created for emergency services applications and nonprofit educational testing applications that do not require parental consent.

ENFORCEMENT

Parents or guardians can bring civil actions against app stores or developers for violations, with provisions for injunctive relief, actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

TIMELINE

The Act takes effect on January 1, 2026, giving stakeholders time to implement new compliance requirements.

DEFINITION

New definitions established for age categories, app stores, minors, mobile devices, and personal data specific to the context of app store regulation.

Floor votes · House May 8, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 27, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

May 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 14, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

lower

May 14, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

upper

May 14, 2025

Introduced

House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

upper

May 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

House passage as amended reported

upper

May 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to 3rd reading as amended

lower

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 8, 2025

Amended

Amendment withdrawn

lower

May 8, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (131-9-3)

house

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Committee

Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

5 primary · 4 co-sponsors