By: Hughes, Bettencourt  S.B. No. 2373
         (In the Senate - Filed March 8, 2019; March 21, 2019, read
  first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
  April 17, 2019, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0, 1 present not
  voting; April 17, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2373 By:  Hughes
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to certain deceptive trade practices by interactive
  computer services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as the Social Media
  Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 17, Business & Commerce Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter M to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER M. DISCOURSE ON INTERACTIVE WEB-BASED PLATFORMS
         Sec. 17.961.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Interactive computer service" means any
  information service, system, or access software provider that
  provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a server,
  including a service, system, web site, web application, or web
  portal that provides a social media platform for users to engage in
  expressive activity.
               (2)  "User" means any person that posts, uploads,
  transmits, or otherwise publishes content through any interactive
  computer service, including a social media platform.
         Sec. 17.962.  INAPPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This
  subchapter does not apply to an Internet service provider as
  defined by Section 324.055. 
         Sec. 17.963.  UNLAWFUL ACTS. (a)  Except as provided by
  Subsection (b), an interactive computer service that represents the
  service as viewpoint neutral, impartial, or non-biased may not on
  the basis of the content or viewpoint expressed:
               (1)  block a user's speech;
               (2)  censor a user's speech;
               (3)  ban a user;
               (4)  remove a user's speech;
               (5)  shadow ban a user;
               (6)  de-platform a user;
               (7)  de-boost a user's speech;
               (8)  de-monetize a user; or
               (9)  otherwise restrict speech of a user.
         (b)  Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. Section 230(c), it is a defense to
  liability under this section that an interactive computer service:
               (1)  voluntarily and in good faith acted to restrict
  access to or availability of content that is objectively considered
  to be obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent,
  harassing, or otherwise objectionable, whether or not such content
  is constitutionally protected; or
               (2)  acted to enable or make available the technical
  means to restrict access to content described in Subdivision (1).
         Sec. 17.964.  DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. A violation of this
  subchapter is a false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice
  within the meaning of Section 17.46 and is actionable in a public
  suit brought under Subchapter E.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
  * * * * *