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Bill

HB 547

Enact the Kid Influencer Protection Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Brennan and 10 co-sponsors

Ohio bill establishes labor and financial protections for child social media influencers, including earnings safeguards and contractual oversight similar to traditional child entertainment laws.

Referred to committee
#childwelfare #commerce #juvenileandfamilylaw #technology
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Bill Summary · HB 547

Legislative bill overview

HB 547 proposes protections for child influencers and content creators in Ohio by establishing regulations around their earnings, work hours, and contractual rights. The bill aims to address the growing phenomenon of children generating substantial income through social media platforms while lacking traditional labor protections.

Why is this important

Child influencers can earn significant money but currently operate in a largely unregulated space with minimal protections compared to child actors in traditional entertainment. Without clear legal frameworks, these children risk exploitation, financial mismanagement, and interference with education and development.

Potential points of contention

  • Earnings management: Disputes over whether earnings should be held in blocked trust accounts (similar to Coogan Laws for child actors) and who controls access to those funds
  • Parental authority vs. child protection: Balancing parental involvement in children's content creation decisions against protections from parental financial exploitation
  • Platform accountability: Questions about whether social media companies should bear responsibility for enforcing protections or if responsibility lies solely with parents and state regulators
  • Definition and scope: Determining what qualifies as an "influencer" or "content creator" and at what earnings threshold protections trigger
  • Interstate commerce challenges: Difficulty enforcing Ohio law when content is distributed globally and audiences span multiple states

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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