A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 60, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-614 through 59.1-619, relating to App Store Accountability Act; civil penalties; civil action.
HB757 creates a new chapter in Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia called the App Store Accountability Act. The bill would require app store providers to give clear parental-consent disclosures for apps and in-app purchases, collect and verify users’ age categories, and create parent-linked minor accounts for users under 18. For minors, app stores would have to obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing downloads, purchases, or in-app purchases, and would need to notify parents and re-obtain consent if an app undergoes a significant change. Developers would also have to assign age ratings and content descriptions, share age-category and consent-status information through app stores, and use that information to enforce age-related restrictions and safety features.
The bill would add new regulatory duties for app store providers and app developers operating in Virginia, including age verification, parental consent workflows, disclosure requirements, data-handling limits, and notice obligations for significant app changes. It also creates enforcement mechanisms through the Attorney General and private civil actions by minors or parents, with civil penalties of up to $7,500 per violation and potential damages, attorney fees, and costs. The bill includes exemptions and limitations for emergency services apps, security measures, and certain pre-existing downloads, and it would take effect July 1, 2027.
The available record suggests the bill moved without recorded opposition in committee, as its last action was a voice vote to continue it to the next session. Because there are no transcripts or roll-call votes provided, there is little direct evidence of debate in the record. The structure of the bill indicates a policy focus on child safety, parental control, and app transparency, which likely supports its general framing as a consumer-protection measure.
The main points of potential contention are the scope of age verification, the burden placed on app store providers and developers, and the privacy implications of collecting and sharing age-category data. Critics could also object to the private right of action and civil penalties, while supporters are likely to emphasize parental consent, minor protections, and transparency about app content and data practices. Another possible area of dispute is how the bill would affect pre-installed apps, existing downloads, and whether the verification requirements could be implemented in a way that is not anticompetitive or overly intrusive.