Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes a private right of action against a social media platform that causes harm and imposes a civil penalty on a social media platform that knowingly and willfully contributes to a minor's suicide or suicide attempt in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Establishes a private right of action against a social media platform that causes harm and imposes a civil penalty of $10,000 on a social media platform that knowingly and willfully contributes to a minor's suicide or suicide attempt in Arkansas (Sec. 1).

• Defines “minor” as an individual 16 and under (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a social media platform from using a design, algorithm, or feature that they know, or should have known through reasonable care, causes a user to (Sec. 1):

• Purchase a controlled substance;

• Develop an eating disorder; 

• Commit or attempt to commit suicide; or

• Develop or sustain an addiction to the social media platform.

• Specifies that nothing in this bill shall impose liability on a social media platform for (Sec. ):

• Displaying content that is created and hosted entirely by a third party, including, without limitation, an advertisement managed by a third party and shared on the social media platform; or

• Conduct that is protected by the:

• First Amendment of the United States Constitution; or

• Arkansas Constitution.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text