HB 1834: Protecting Washington children online. - Washington

Second Substitute Bill → Third Substitute Bill · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from Second to Third Substitute and updated for the 2026 legislative session. The most significant change is the extension of the compliance deadline for addictive internet services from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027, providing companies more time to adjust their systems. The bill also reorganized the section numbering and slightly refined definitions regarding minors' residency status.

Scope change

The bill continues to apply to businesses and operators of online services likely to be accessed by minors in Washington, with no change to the fundamental scope of applicability.

TIMELINE

The deadline for operators of addictive internet services to verify users are not minors was extended from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027.

FISCAL

The sunset date for the bill's funding requirement was extended from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'minor' was updated to specify that the individual must be a 'resident' of Washington state, rather than just 'located' there.

TECHNICAL

The bill was renumbered from Second Substitute to Third Substitute, and section numbers were reorganized to reflect the new structure.

REQUIREMENT

A new provision was added clarifying that compliance with the bill does not serve as a defense against claims regarding harm to a minor's mental health or well-being.

Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Bill · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from the Consumer Protection committee to the Appropriations committee and its reading date was updated. The text was slightly tightened to clarify that age data cannot be used for other purposes, and the list of exemptions for online services was shortened by removing specific rules about gaming platforms and physical products. A new section was added stating that the entire act becomes null and void if specific funding is not provided by June 30, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's committee assignment changed from Consumer Protection to Appropriations, indicating a shift in legislative focus toward funding and budgetary oversight rather than just consumer rules.

ELIGIBILITY

The bill was moved from the Consumer Protection committee to the Appropriations committee, changing its legislative path and likely emphasizing funding requirements over consumer policy.

TECHNICAL

The reading date of the bill was updated from February 21, 2025, to February 28, 2025.

DEFINITION

The definition of excluded online services was simplified by removing specific exemptions for interactive gaming platforms and the delivery of physical products.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement regarding age assurance was clarified to explicitly state that collected personal information cannot be retained longer than necessary or used for any purpose other than estimating age.

A requirement for businesses to provide a signal when monitoring or tracking a minor's location was removed from the list of mandatory actions.

FISCAL

A new section was added making the entire act null and void if specific funding is not included in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2025.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and its title updated to reflect its status as a substitute bill. The most significant change is the addition of a new definition for 'Business,' which explicitly excludes government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes, thereby narrowing the scope of entities required to comply with the new online child protection rules. Additionally, exemptions for certain online services were expanded to include interactive gaming platforms that adhere to federal privacy laws and do not use manipulative design techniques.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was narrowed by adding specific exemptions for government agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, and compliant interactive gaming platforms from the new requirements.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from Z-0344.2 to H-1641.1, and the title was updated to 'Substitute House Bill 1834' to reflect its legislative status.

DEFINITION

A new definition for 'Business' was added, explicitly excluding government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes from the bill's requirements.

The definition for 'Online service, product, or feature' was expanded to exclude interactive gaming platforms that comply with federal privacy laws and do not use dark patterns.

REQUIREMENT

The definition of 'Likely to be accessed by minors' was updated to include specific indicators such as advertising marketed to minors and design elements known to appeal to minors.

Protecting Washington children online.

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