The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on July 27 approved two bills introduced by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to protect children online and to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge. Both bills now head to the full Senate for consideration.
“I’m glad to see the Commerce Committee advance legislation that shields our most vulnerable population from patterned online risks, and encourage my Senate colleagues to support this effort,” Sen. Capito said of the Kids Online Safety Act, S. 1409.
Sen. Capito on May 2 signed on as one of 32 original cosponsors of S. 1409, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to set out requirements that would protect minors from online harms, according to the congressional record bill summary.
For instance, S. 1409 would require that covered platforms act in the best interest of minors using the applications or services, including by mitigating harms that may arise from that use (e.g., sexual exploitation and online bullying), the summary says.
Additionally, covered platforms must provide minors (or their parents or guardians) with certain safeguards, such as settings that restrict access to minors’ personal data; and parents or guardians with tools to supervise minors’ use of a platform, such as control of privacy and account settings, states the summary.
“Our children are the future, which is why it’s important that we do all we can to protect them from online threats that pose a great risk to their development,” said Sen. Capito. “Online platforms must be responsible for the content provided to our youth and tools must be in place to prevent harm.”
The other committee-approved bill, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023, S. 1669, was introduced on May 17 by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). Sen. Capito signed on as a cosponsor of S. 1669 on May 31.
If enacted, the measure would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue a rule that requires all new motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. The bill applies to motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the U.S., or shipped in interstate commerce after the rule’s effective date, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“In West Virginia, we rely on AM radio for many things from road and weather updates, to high school football games and local broadcasts,” Sen. Capito said. “It’s important that it is maintained in new vehicles without additional costs burdening consumers. I’m proud to join this effort and look forward to this legislation being considered by the full Senate.”