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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a warning label on certain social media platforms |
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concerning the association between a minor's social media usage and |
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significant mental health issues. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter Z to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER Z. WARNING LABEL ON CERTAIN SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS |
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REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN MINORS |
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Sec. 161.801. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "social |
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media platform" and "user" have the meanings assigned by Section |
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120.001, Business & Commerce Code. |
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Sec. 161.8015. APPLICABILITY. (a) This subchapter applies |
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only to a social media platform described by Section 120.002(b), |
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Business & Commerce Code. |
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(b) This subchapter does not apply to a website or |
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application used primarily for the purpose of interactive gaming. |
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Sec. 161.802. REQUIRED WARNING LABEL REGARDING MENTAL |
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HEALTH ISSUES. (a) A social media platform operating in this state |
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shall display on the platform's landing page each time a user opens |
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the platform a warning label concerning the association between a |
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minor's social media usage and significant mental health issues. |
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The warning label must include: |
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(1) information on available resources for persons |
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experiencing significant mental health issues, including the phone |
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number or link to the website for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; |
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and |
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(2) a statement concerning the use of an individual's |
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personal data by social media platforms and the addictive nature of |
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social media usage. |
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(b) The social media platform shall ensure the user is |
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unable to operate the platform until the user verifies the user |
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understands the warning. |
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(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt evidence-based |
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rules regarding the form and content of the warning label required |
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by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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adopt the rules required by Section 161.802, Health and Safety |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) A social media platform to which Subchapter Z, Chapter |
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161, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies is not |
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required to comply with Section 161.802, Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by this Act, before April 1, 2026. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |