House reaches deal on kids online safety bills, Senate versions advance separately

House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders announced a bipartisan agreement on a package of bills addressing minors' use of online platforms. The package combines the Kids Online Safety Act with sections from 13 other bills covering age verification, AI chatbots, data protections, and drug sales on social media.

The House measure does not include a duty-of-care requirement that would obligate platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent harms such as suicide, substance-use disorders, and sexual exploitation. Senate versions retain that provision.

House differences Senate negotiators are advancing their own bills and have not indicated they will adopt the House text. The two chambers must reconcile their versions before any legislation can reach the president. Time pressure is increasing because lawmakers aim to complete action before the end of the year.

Past disagreements between the chambers have prevented similar bills from becoming law. A senior adviser at a conservative nonprofit group said the House action brings the legislation closer to final passage than it has been in recent years. The adviser noted that each chamber will now address its internal political considerations.