Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Passed Assembly 9 R cosponsors

AB 962 — Relating to: app stores and app developers and providing a penalty.

Last action — Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced January 29, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Assembly

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (9 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

An Act to create 100.85 of the statutes;

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

329 added · 353 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Assembly Bill 962 includes a specific mention of "pre-installed apps," which are applications already on a device when it's purchased, and outlines additional responsibilities for app store providers regarding these apps. It clarifies that app developers can request age category information for both regular and pre-installed apps, and that parents should be able to revoke consent for their minor children easily. These changes are significant because they enhance the protection of children's data and ensure that parents have more control over their children's app usage, promoting a safer online environment for minors.

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Latest
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 2, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 962 February 19, 2026 - Offered by Representative G OEBEN .
- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 January 29, 2026 - Introduced by Representatives G OEBEN , BRILL, DITTRICH, O'CONNOR , PIWOWARCZYK , B EHNKE , ARMSTRONG , M URPHY and K NODL, cosponsored by Senator J ACQUE .
Referred to Committee on Children and Families.
the category “younger teenager” comprises - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw individuals at least 13 years of age but under 16 years of age;
the category “younger teenager” comprises individuals at least 13 years of age but under 16 years of age;
The bill also defines a “minor” as an individual under 18 years of age unless the individual is married or emancipated.
The - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 bill also defines a “minor” as an individual under 18 years of age unless the individual is married or emancipated.
The bill requires an app store provider to provide to each developer required to obtain age category data and parental consent information (discussed below), in response to the developer’s request, age category data for an account holder and the status of verifiable parental consent for a minor.
The bill requires an app store provider to provide to each developer of an app available on the app store, in response to the developer’s request (as discussed below), age category data for an account holder and the status of verifiable parental consent for a minor.
With respect to pre-installed apps, an app store provider must, in response to a request from a developer, provide available age category information to the developer and take reasonable measures to facilitate verifiable parental consent for use of the pre-installed app.
With respect to pre- installed apps, an app store provider must, in response to a request from a developer, provide available age category information to the developer and take reasonable measures to facilitate verifiable parental consent for use of the pre- installed app.
The bill defines a “pre-installed app” as any - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw app, or portion of any app, that is present on a mobile device at the time of purchase, initial activation, or first use by a consumer, subject to certain exclusions.
The bill defines a “pre-installed app” as any app, or portion of any app, that is present on a mobile device at the time of purchase, initial activation, or first use by a consumer, subject to certain exclusions.
An app store provider may not 1) enforce a contract or terms of service against a minor unless the app store provider has obtained verifiable parental consent;
An app store provider may not 1) enforce a contract or terms of service against a minor unless the app store - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 provider has obtained verifiable parental consent;
The bill also requires an app store provider to provide to each developer the option to direct the app store provider to prevent downloads of the developer’s app by account holders based on the age of the account holder as determined by the app store provider.
The bill requires a developer to do all of the following:
The bill generally requires a developer to do all of the following:
Under the bill, however, a developer is deemed in compliance with the requirements under the bill and is not required to obtain age category or parental consent data from an app store provider and is not otherwise subject to the requirements of the bill if the developer 1) requires to access the developer’s app, for every new account, registration with a credit card or other method of payment indicating that the individual is at least 18 years of age;
2) provides the ability for account holders at least 18 years of age to create profiles for members of their household who are under 18 years of age;
3) complies with the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act;
and 4) provides parental controls, including content - 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw S ECTION 1 ratings and the ability to opt-out of cross-context behavioral advertising, for these profiles.
The bill also provides for a private cause of action.
A minor, or the parent of a minor, who has been harmed by a violation may bring a civil action against an app store provider or a developer to recover all of the following:
the greater of actual damages or $1,000 for each violation;
punitive damages if the violation was egregious;
and court costs and attorney fees.
SECTION 1.
- 2026 Legislature - 4 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 SECTION 1.
- 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 (e) “App” means a software application or electronic service that an individual may run or direct on a mobile device, including a pre-installed app.
(e) “App” means a software application or electronic service that an individual may run or direct on a mobile device, including a pre-installed app.
(h) “Content description” means a description of the specific content elements or functions that informed an app's age rating.
- 2026 Legislature - 5 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 SECTION 1 (h) “Content description” means a description of the specific content elements or functions that informed an app's age rating.
- 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw S ECTION 1 1.
1.
(p) “Parent account” means an account with an app store provider that is verified to be established by an individual who the app store provider has determined, through its age verification methods, is at least 18 years old, married, or an emancipated minor, as defined in s.
(p) “Parent account” means an account with an app store provider that is - 2026 Legislature - 6 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 verified to be established by an individual who the app store provider has determined, through its age verification methods, is at least 18 years old, married, or an emancipated minor, as defined in s.
(r) “Pre-installed app” means any app, or portion of any app, that is present on a mobile device at the time of purchase, initial activation, or first use by a consumer, - 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw S ECTION 1 including browsers, search engines, and messaging apps, but excluding core operating system functions, essential device drivers, and apps necessary for basic device operation such as phone settings and emergency services apps.
(r) “Pre-installed app” means any app, or portion of any app, that is present on a mobile device at the time of purchase, initial activation, or first use by a consumer, including browsers, search engines, and messaging apps, but excluding core operating system functions, essential device drivers, and apps necessary for basic device operation such as phone settings and emergency services apps.
(s) “Significant change” means a material modification to an app’s terms of service or privacy policy that does any of the following:
- 2026 Legislature - 7 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 (s) “Significant change” means a material modification to an app’s terms of service or privacy policy that does any of the following:
- 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 (2) APP STORE PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS .
(2) APP STORE PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS .
If, under the age verification conducted under par.
If, under the age verification conducted - 2026 Legislature - 8 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 SECTION 1 under par.
- 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 (d) Developer coordination.
(d) Developer coordination.
An app store provider shall provide to each developer required to obtain age category data and parental consent information under sub.
An app store provider shall provide to each developer of an app made available on the app store provider’s app store, in response to a request authorized under sub.
(3) from the app store provider, in response to a request authorized under sub.
(dm) Blocking downloads.
- 2026 Legislature - 9 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 (e) Revoking parental consent.
An app store provider shall provide to each developer the option to direct the app store provider to prevent downloads of the developer’s app by account holders based on the age of the account holder as determined by the app store provider.
(e) Revoking parental consent.
An app store provider shall do all of the - 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 following in response to a request from a developer with respect to a pre-installed app:
An app store provider shall do all of the following in response to a request from a developer with respect to a pre-installed app:
(3) APP DEVELOPER REQUIREMENTS .
- 2026 Legislature - 10 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 (3) A PP DEVELOPER REQUIREMENTS .
- 2026 Legislature - 11 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 4.
4.
When an account holder purchases an app, downloads an app, or launches a pre-installed app for the first time.
When an an account holder purchases an app, downloads an app, or launches a pre-installed app for the first time.
2.
- 2026 Legislature - 11 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 2.
- 2026 Legislature - 12 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 3.
Show all 74 changed rows (34 more)
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Latest
Share age category data with any person.
(e) Developer deemed compliant.
A developer shall be deemed in compliance with this section and is not required to obtain age category or parental consent data from an app store provider and is not otherwise subject to the requirements of this section if the developer does all of the following:
1.
Requires to access the developer’s app, for every new account, registration with a credit card or other method of payment indicating that the individual is at least 18 years of age.
2.
Provides the ability for account holders at least 18 years of age to create profiles for members of their household who are under 18 years of age.
Complies with the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, 15 USC 6501 et seq.
Share age category data with any person.
4.
(4) ENFORCEMENT ,PENALTIES ,AND PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION .
Provides parental controls, including content ratings and the ability to opt- out of cross-context behavioral advertising, for the profiles under subd.
2.
(4) E NFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES .
- 2026 Legislature - 13 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw S ECTION 1 c.
- 2026 Legislature - 12 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 c.
(5) SAFE HARBOR .
(c) A minor, or the parent of a minor, who has been harmed by a violation of this section may bring a civil action against an app store provider or a developer.
If the minor or parent prevails in the action, the court shall award to the minor or the parent all of the following:
1.
The greater of actual damages or $1,000 for each violation.
2.
Punitive damages if the violation was egregious.
3.
Notwithstanding s.
814.04 (1), court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
(5) SAFE HARBOR.
(c) The safe harbor described in this section applies only to actions brought under this section and does not limit a developer’s liability under any other applicable law.
(c) The safe harbor described in this section applies only to actions brought - 2026 Legislature - 13 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 S ECTION 1 under this section and does not limit a developer’s liability under any other applicable law.
- 2026 Legislature - 14 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 1.
1.
3.
- 2026 Legislature - 14 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 SECTION 1 3.
(e) Require a developer to collect, retain, reidentify, or link any information beyond what is necessary to verify age category data as required under this section - 2026 Legislature - 15 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw SECTION 1 and collected, retained, reidentified, or linked in the developer's ordinary course of business.
(e) Require a developer to collect, retain, reidentify, or link any information beyond what is necessary to verify age category data as required under this section and collected, retained, reidentified, or linked in the developer's ordinary course of business.
(g) Impose any requirement under this section on a person issued a video service franchise under s.
66.0420 (3).
(b) If an individual who is located in this state holds an account with an app store on the effective date of this paragraph, the app store provider shall, no later than 12 months after the effective date of this paragraph, request age category information from the individual and verify the individual’s age category using a commercially available method of age verification that is reasonably designed to ensure accuracy.
(b) If an individual who is located in this state holds an account with an app - 2026 Legislature - 15 - LRB-5850/1 ARG:cdc ASSEMBLY BILL 962 SECTION 2 store on the effective date of this paragraph, the app store provider shall, no later than 12 months after the effective date of this paragraph, request age category information from the individual and verify the individual’s age category using a commercially available method of age verification that is reasonably designed to ensure accuracy.
(b) with respect to an - 2026 Legislature - 16 - LRBs0541/1 ARG:cdc&skw S ECTION 2 individual, the app store provider determines that the individual is a minor, the app store provider shall satisfy the requirements specified in s.
(b) with respect to an individual, the app store provider determines that the individual is a minor, the app store provider shall satisfy the requirements specified in s.
SECTION 3.
S ECTION 3.
SECTION 4.
S ECTION 4.
END )
(END)
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Action History

  1. Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  2. Public hearing held

  3. Read first time and referred to committee on Utilities, Technology and Tourism

  4. Received from Assembly

  5. Ordered immediately messaged

  6. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 58, Noes 37

  7. Rules suspended

  8. Ordered to a third reading

  9. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 adopted

  10. Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representative Goeben

  11. Read a second time

  12. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Joers

  13. Made a special order of business at 11:54 AM on 2-19-2026 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 14

  14. Referred to committee on Rules

  15. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Children and Families, Ayes 5, Noes 4

  16. Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Children and Families, Ayes 9, Noes 0

  17. Representative B. Jacobson added as a coauthor

  18. Executive action taken

  19. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Goeben

  20. Representative Dittrich withdrawn as a coauthor

  21. Public hearing held

  22. Read first time and referred to Committee on Children and Families

  23. Introduced by Representatives Goeben, Brill, Dittrich, O'Connor, Piwowarczyk, Behnke, Armstrong, Murphy and Knodl; cosponsored by Senator Jacque

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 122 not signed on · 36 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (122)

122 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 122 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Read a third time and passed

Passed 58 Yea · 37 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 52100
Democrat 53503
Unaffiliated 1101
Total 583704
% of votes cast 59%37%0%4%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
JOHNSON — Not Voting
MOORE OMOKUNDE — Nay
SPEAKER — Yea
Anderson, Clinton Democrat Nay
Andraca, Deb Democrat Nay
Arney, Margaret Democrat Nay
Bare, Mike Democrat Nay
Billings, Jill Democrat Nay
Brown, Brienne Democrat Nay
Clancy, Ryan Democrat Nay
Cruz, Angelina Democrat Nay
DeSanto, Karen Democrat Nay
DeSmidt, Ben Democrat Nay
Doyle, Steve Democrat Yea
Emerson, Jodi Democrat Not Voting
Fitzgerald, Joan Democrat Nay
Goodwin, Russell Democrat Yea
Haywood, Kalan Democrat Nay
Hong, Francesca Democrat Nay
Hysell, Andrew Democrat Nay
Jacobson, Jenna Democrat Yea
Joers, Alex Democrat Nay
Kirsch, Karen Democrat Nay
Madison, Darrin Democrat Nay
Mayadev, Renuka Democrat Nay
McCarville, Maureen Democrat Nay
McGuire, Tip Democrat Nay
Miresse, Vincent Democrat Nay
Neubauer, Greta Democrat Nay
Ortiz-Velez, Sylvia Democrat Yea
Palmeri, Lori Democrat Nay
Phelps, Christian Democrat Nay
Prado, Priscilla Democrat Not Voting
Rivera-Wagner, Amaad Democrat Nay
Roe, Ann Democrat Nay
Sheehan, Joe Democrat Not Voting
Sinicki, Christine Democrat Nay
Snodgrass, Lee Democrat Nay
Spaude, Ryan Democrat Yea
Stroud, Angela Democrat Nay
Stubbs, Shelia Democrat Nay
Subeck, Lisa Democrat Nay
Taylor, Sequanna Democrat Nay
Tenorio, Angelito Democrat Nay
Udell, Randy Democrat Nay
Vining, Robyn Democrat Nay
Allen, Scott Republican Yea
Armstrong, David Republican Yea
August, Tyler Republican Yea
Behnke, Elijah Republican Yea
Born, Mark Republican Yea
Brill, Lindee Republican Yea
Brooks, Robert Republican Yea
Callahan, Calvin Republican Yea
Dallman, Alex Republican Yea
Dittrich, Barbara Republican Yea
Donovan, Bob Republican Yea
Duchow, Cindi Republican Yea
Franklin, Benjamin Republican Yea
Goeben, Joy Republican Yea
Green, Chanz Republican Yea
Gundrum, Rick Republican Yea
Gustafson, Nate Republican Yea
Hurd, Karen Republican Yea
Jacobson, Brent Republican Yea
Kaufert, Dean Republican Yea
Kitchens, Joel Republican Yea
Knodl, Daniel Republican Yea
Kreibich, Rob Republican Yea
Krug, Scott Republican Yea
Kurtz, Tony Republican Yea
Maxey, Dave Republican Yea
Melotik, Paul Republican Yea
Moses, Clint Republican Yea
Murphy, David Republican Yea
Mursau, Jeffrey Republican Yea
Nedweski, Amanda Republican Yea
Neylon, Adam Republican Yea
Novak, Todd Republican Yea
O'Connor, Jerry Republican Yea
Penterman, William Republican Yea
Petersen, Kevin Republican Yea
Piwowarczyk, Jim Republican Yea
Pronschinske, Treig Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Jessie Republican Yea
Snyder, Patrick Republican Yea
Sortwell, Shae Republican Nay
Spiros, John Republican Yea
Steffen, David Republican Yea
Summerfield, Rob Republican Yea
Swearingen, Rob Republican Yea
Tittl, Paul Republican Yea
Tranel, Travis Republican Yea
Tucker, Duke Republican Yea
Tusler, Ron Republican Yea
VanderMeer, Nancy Republican Yea
Wichgers, Chuck Republican Yea
Wittke, Robert Republican Yea
Zimmerman, Shannon Republican Yea

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Subjects

technology agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 962 do?
An Act to create 100.85 of the statutes;
Who sponsors AB 962?
AB 962 is sponsored by Jacque, Goeben, Joy (Republican), Brill, Lindee (Republican), Dittrich, Barbara (Republican), O'Connor, Jerry (Republican), Piwowarczyk, Jim (Republican), Behnke, Elijah (Republican), Armstrong, David (Republican), Murphy, David (Republican), and Knodl, Daniel (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 962?
This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced January 29, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track AB 962?
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