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AlabamaSB1862025 Regular SessionSenate

Consumer protection; filter requirements on Internet enabled devices, penalties for violation

Sponsored By: Clyde Chambliss (Republican)

Enacted

Consumer Protection

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New device filters protect Alabama kids

Beginning October 1, 2025, covered smartphones and tablets activated in Alabama must include filters against legally defined obscene images. Only devices made on or after June 1, 2025, are covered; video game consoles are excluded. Activation means turning on the device and linking it to a user account. Devices must ask the user's age during setup and automatically turn filters on for users identified as minors. Filters must meet generally accepted industry standards and block known obscene-content websites across cellular, wired, and wireless connections. They cover browsers and search engines controlled by the manufacturer. Devices must allow a filter password and notify users when a website is blocked. A user who is not a minor can turn the filter off and back on with a password.

Device filter violations bring civil penalties

Beginning October 1, 2025, manufacturers face civil liability when a covered device fails to enable a compliant filter at activation in Alabama and a minor accesses obscene material. Manufacturers are exempt if they make a good-faith effort to provide devices that automatically enable compliant filters at activation. People who intentionally enable a password to remove or disable a minor's filter also face liability if the minor accesses obscene material. That rule excludes the minor's parent or legal guardian. The Attorney General can seek court orders stopping violations and penalties up to $5,000 per violating device, capped at $50,000 total. The Attorney General can also recover reasonable expenses and attorney fees, issue subpoenas, and hold hearings. A repeated pattern of manufacturer violations can lead to license or certificate revocation. These rules exclude devices made before June 1, 2025, and video game consoles, and create no right to sue retailers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Clyde Chambliss

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 448 • No: 20

Senate vote • 5/1/2025

Chambliss Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 905

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1099

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1098

Yes: 102 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 102 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 745

Yes: 28 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 744

Yes: 28 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Petition to Cease Debate - Adopted Roll Call 743

Yes: 27 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 28 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    5/14/2025Senate

  2. Chambliss Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 905

    5/1/2025Senate

  3. Ready to Enroll

    5/1/2025Senate

  4. Enrolled

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Delivered to Governor

    5/1/2025Senate

  6. Signature Requested

    5/1/2025House

  7. Third Reading in Second House

    4/29/2025House

  8. Commerce and Small Business Engrossed Substitute Offered

    4/29/2025House

  9. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1098

    4/29/2025House

  10. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1099

    4/29/2025House

  11. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    4/24/2025House

  12. Commerce and Small Business 1st Amendment

    4/23/2025House

  13. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    4/23/2025House

  14. Third Reading in House of Origin

    4/17/2025Senate

  15. Chambliss 1st Substitute Offered

    4/17/2025Senate

  16. Petition to Cease Debate - Adopted Roll Call 743

    4/17/2025Senate

  17. Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 744

    4/17/2025Senate

  18. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 745

    4/17/2025Senate

  19. Engrossed

    4/17/2025Senate

  20. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small Business

    4/17/2025House

  21. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    4/17/2025House

  22. Carried Over

    4/9/2025Senate

  23. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/27/2025Senate

  24. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/27/2025Senate

  25. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Children and Youth Health

    2/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

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