FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Press@KidsCodeCoalition.org

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Kids Code Coalition released the following statement after the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee passed the Minnesota Kids Code (HF 2257) by voice vote following powerful testimony from advocates:

“We applaud the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee for today’s vote in favor of the Minnesota Kids Code, and we’re especially grateful to Chair Becker-Finn and Rep. Bahner for their leadership. By backing the Kids Code, our legislators are proving that the united voices of youth, parents, and experts outweigh Big Tech’s self-serving narratives. As giant Silicon Valley companies continue to prioritize profit-seeking over keeping kids safe, a new poll shows that public resolve is stronger than ever in favor of passing this critical legislation to protect Minnesota youth from online exploitation and harm.”

Watch the hearing and vote here.

The bill’s step forward comes a day after a Council for Responsible Social Media delegation, including co-chair former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) and member Hon. Zach Wamp (R-TN), discussed bipartisan support for the MN Kids Code’s safety-by-design and privacy-by-default approach with impacted families and top Minnesota political leaders.

Learn more about the Minnesota Kids Code

Duluth News Tribune – Tragic losses motivate Minnesota moms’ call for a ‘kids code’ (Janet Casperson & Shannon Lee, 4/16/24)

MPR – Minnesota lawmakers debate tighter rules for tech companies over content that could harm kids (Dana Ferguson, 4/10/24)

KARE 11 – Push to make internet safer for kids (John Croman, 4/5/24)

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