Injuries to children: civil penalties.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Enacted

Summary

The bill adds a new civil‑code section that makes social‑media companies with over $100 million in annual revenue liable for statutory damages when their negligence harms a child. Penalties are either $5,000 per violation up to $1 million per child or three times the child’s actual damages, whichever is greater. The measure seeks to shift the cost of child‑related injuries from families and taxpayers to the platforms themselves.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 6816.). · Aug 28, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 13, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 3, 2026
• Judiciary Committee Hearing
  Judiciary · Jun 30, 2026
• Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Hearing
  Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection · Jun 15, 2026
• Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Hearing
  Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection · Jun 8, 2026

History

1. Jun 5, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2. May 6, 2026Re-referred to Coms. on P., D.T., & C.P., JUD., and APPR.
3. Apr 27, 2026Withdrawn from committee.
4. Apr 27, 2026Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
5. Jul 14, 2025In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
6. Jun 30, 2025In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
7. Jun 23, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
8. May 21, 2025Referred to Coms. on JUD. and APPR.
9. May 13, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
10. May 12, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 0. Page 1507.)
11. Apr 9, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
12. Apr 8, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 8).

The 12 most recent of 21 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Josh Lowenthal (D) · sponsor
• Harabedian
• Lowenthal
• Patterson
• Pellerin
• Rivas

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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