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Bill

HB 1717

TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN AND TEENS' ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brandon Achor and 8 co-sponsors

Arkansas' Act 952 mandates online services to secure parental consent for collecting minors' data, enhancing privacy protections for children and teens.

Notification that HB1717 is now Act 952
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1717

Summary of HB 1717: Arkansas Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1717, now known as Act 952, aims to enhance the online privacy protections for children and teens in Arkansas. The legislation establishes a framework for how personal information from minors can be collected, used, and disclosed by online services and applications. It seeks to ensure that parents and guardians are informed and can provide consent regarding the handling of their children's personal data.

Key Provisions

The Arkansas Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act includes several important provisions:

  1. Definitions:

    • Child: An individual aged 12 years or younger.
    • Teen: An individual aged 13 to 16 years.
    • Operator: Any person or entity that operates a website or online service that collects personal information from children or teens.

  2. Consent Requirements:

    • Operators must obtain verifiable consent from parents or guardians before collecting personal information from children.
    • For teens, operators must ensure that the teen or their parent is informed about the data collection practices and provides unambiguous consent.

  3. Disclosure of Information:

    • The act defines disclosure as making personal information publicly available to third parties not affiliated with the operator.
    • Certain exceptions are outlined where disclosure may not require consent, such as for internal operations or legal compliance.

  4. Personal Information:

    • The act specifies what constitutes personal information, including names, addresses, email addresses, and biometric data.
    • It also includes provisions for the handling of audio files containing a child or teen's voice, provided certain conditions are met.

  5. Enforcement:

    • The Attorney General of Arkansas is granted exclusive authority to enforce the provisions of this act, with no private right of action for individuals.

  6. Severability and Effective Date:

    • The act includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part is found invalid, the remainder remains effective.
    • The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Impact

The Arkansas Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act will primarily affect:
- Operators of online services: They will need to implement new compliance measures to ensure they are obtaining proper consent and handling personal information according to the law.
- Parents and guardians: They will gain more control and awareness regarding the online data collected from their children and teens.
- Children and teens: The act aims to provide them with greater protection from potential misuse of their personal information online.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: March 10, 2025
  • Passed: April 10, 2025
  • Enrolled and Transmitted to Governor: April 16, 2025
  • Effective Date: July 1, 2026

This legislation represents a significant step towards safeguarding the online privacy of minors in Arkansas, aligning with broader national trends in data protection and privacy rights.

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

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