Ark. Passes Social Media Bill; Md. Mini-TCPA Nears Finish Line

The Arkansas legislature passed a bill to require age verification and parental consent for social media. State senators voted 21-3 Thursday to concur with the House-amended SB-396, which was opposed by NetChoice in a committee hearing (see 2303280036). The House voted 82-10 for the bill Wednesday. Utah enacted a similar law last month (see 2303240035). Maryland lawmakers passed anti-robocall and broadband bills last week. The Maryland House voted 135-0 Thursday for the Stop the Spam Calls Act (SB-90) with amendments. The Senate previously passed the bill but will have to vote again to concur. The Senate unanimously supported the cross-filed HB-37 with amendments March 31 (see 2304030060). The bills are modeled on Florida and Oklahoma telemarketing laws that go beyond the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Also Thursday, the Senate voted 45-0 for HB-551, a broadband tax incentives bill. Meanwhile in New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D) signed HB-170 Wednesday to clarify that illegal cramming includes only unauthorized charges for non-telecom services.