House Committee Moves Forward with Kids Safety Package as Bipartisan Talks Collapse
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is advancing a package of children's online safety bills, including KOSA, after bipartisan negotiations broke down. The package will likely face partisan opposition.
House Committee Moves Forward with Kids Safety Package
The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced it will advance a package of children's online safety legislation, including the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), after bipartisan negotiations collapsed in recent days.
What's in the Package
Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) unveiled the "Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act" package, which includes:
- **KOSA**: Creates a duty of care for platforms to prevent harms to minors, including suicide promotion, eating disorders, and sexual exploitation
- **COPPA 2.0**: Strengthens the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act with stricter data collection limits
- **Gaming platform guardrails**: Requires safety features on platforms with minor users
- **AI chatbot protections**: Mandates disclosures and safety measures for AI systems interacting with children
- **Age verification for pornographic sites**: Requires strict age checks before accessing adult content
Why Talks Broke Down
Democratic priorities—including smartphone safety measures and data broker restrictions—were excluded from the final package. Democrats have signaled opposition to the revised versions of KOSA and COPPA 2.0, which they say weaken protections passed in earlier committee sessions.
The committee advanced similar bills in December 2024, but only KOSA and COPPA 2.0 moved forward on party-line votes at that time.
What Happens Next
The full Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to mark up the package in the coming weeks. If it passes committee, the bills would move to the full House for a floor vote.
KOSA previously passed the Senate on a bipartisan basis in 2024, but differences between House and Senate versions would need to be reconciled before any bill could reach the President's desk.
Why This Matters for MDL 3047
Legislative momentum and litigation often reinforce each other. As MDL 3047 trials present evidence of platform harms to children, pressure grows on Congress to act. Conversely, legislative findings can inform judicial understanding of industry practices and risks.
States are also watching closely. If federal legislation stalls, more states may attempt their own youth safety laws—though many have faced First Amendment challenges.