Full Breakdown
House Pushes KIDS Act Amid Broad Opposition Over Duty of Care Removal
6/28/2026, 1:14:04 AM
House Advancement of the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act)
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is advancing H.R. 7757, the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act), which bundles the Senate-passed Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), an updated COPPA 2.0, and child-safety measures. Lawmakers aim for a suspension-of-the-rules vote—requiring a two-thirds majority—early Monday.
Legislative Background and Key Provisions
KOSA cleared the Senate with a 91-3 vote, authored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The House version removes the “duty of care” requirement, replacing it with vague “reasonable policies.” It adds a federal data-broker registry, age-verification rules, and preemption language that could limit state regulation. Covered platforms are limited to video-games, streaming services, and messaging apps, including study-only provisions.
Sponsors, Opponents, and Coalition
House sponsors include Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Senate co-authors Blumenthal and Blackburn oppose the bill. Nearly 100 safety groups—NCOSE, Design It for Us, Tech Oversight Project, Encode—signed a letter urging rejection. The committee approved it 28-24. Families such as Tricia Maciejewski, Lori Schott and Kristin Bride have testified against it.
Official Statements & Responses
The House Energy and Commerce Committee spokesperson says the bill “creates the most comprehensive protections to date for kids online” and is “the best chance to hold Big Tech accountable.” Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn call the duty-of-care removal a “nonstarter” and “unacceptable.”
Criticism & Opposition
Safety groups say dropping the duty of care “weakens protections” and lets Big Tech “off the hook.” They argue “reasonable policies” can be met without changes. Families call the bill a “slap in the face” that “guts” safeguards. Critics warn preemption could erase state actions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Stripping the duty of care does not lighten a regulatory burden; it removes the most important obligation requiring these products to be designed safely in the first place,” — signatory safety groups.
- “Nothing complicated about the duty of care … if you make a defective toaster and it blows up in someone’s home, they’re liable. If you make a defective car and it careens into a tree, they’re liable,” — Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
- “Parents like me will not support the House[‘s] KIDS Act, but we will support the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act,” — Lori Schott, mother.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Hill says a suspension vote could occur Monday; 5calls.org notes the bill has not yet been scheduled for a House vote. Enforcement details for “reasonable policies” are absent.
What’s Next
House leaders plan a suspension vote early next week. If passed, the measure moves to the Senate, where Blumenthal and Blackburn have signaled they will reject it unless the duty of care is restored. Opponents will continue advocacy and may push for a Senate-reinstated KOSA.
