The Alabama Senate unanimously passed HB161 on Wednesday, sending the App Store Accountability Act to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk after it also passed the House unanimously.

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville), requires parental consent before minors can download apps, requires app stores to verify users’ ages, and requires apps to carry age-appropriate ratings similar to movie ratings.

“This App Store bill is an incredible tool that we need to get right,” said State Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook).

“This is a tool that can be used and will be used to protect children that will be entering into contracts. The horror stories that we are hearing from all over our country and state… it’s ruining lives. This is an attempt to help children that are entering into contracts that have no idea what they are doing.”

State Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) said the bill extends existing protections into the digital world.

“For years we have had guardrails,” Chambliss said. “This bill tries to put those types of protections over the digital world. Children should not be accepting contracts.”

State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) echoed concerns about young people’s exposure online.

“One of the greatest concerns I have is all the exposure to social media that they have,” Weaver said.

State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) voiced support from across the aisle.

“I think we have to protect our children because they can’t protect themselves,” Singleton said. “We want to protect families on this side of the aisle also.”

Thursday was day ten of the 2026 state legislative session.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may email him at [email protected].