Texas 89th Legislature, Regular Session Status: Introduced

HB 4298 — Relating to parental controls and filters for certain explicit material on electronic devices; providing a civil penalty.

Last action — Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development: Apr 1 2025 12:28PM

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

This bill died with 89th Legislature, Regular Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Relating to parental controls and filters for certain explicit material on electronic devices; providing a civil penalty.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read HB 4298 on the official Texas source →

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Texas statutes.

  • CHAPTER 121. ELECTRONIC DEVICE FILTERS AND PARENTAL CONTROLS SUBCHAPTER A. ELECTRONIC DEVICE FILTER AND PARENTAL CONTROL REQUIREMENTS Sec. 121.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Activate" means the process of powering on an electronic device and associating the device with a new user account. (2) "Electronic device" means a device with a screen that is capable of connecting to a cellular network or the Internet. (3) "Explicit material" means visual material depicting: (A) the intimate parts of a person; (B) sexual conduct; or (C) simulated sexual conduct. (4) "Filter" means software installed on an electronic device that is capable of preventing the device from accessing or displaying explicit material. (5) "Intimate parts" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code. (6) "Manufacturer" means a person that: (A) is engaged in the business of manufacturing electronic devices or holds a patent for an electronic device; and (B) maintains a registered agent under Section 5.201, Business Organizations Code. (7) "Minor" means a person younger than 18 years of age who: (A) has never been married; and (B) has not had the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes. (8) "Sexual conduct" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code. (9) "Simulated" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code. (10) "Visual material" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code. Sec. 121.002. APPLICABILITY. This chapter does not apply to a telecommunications provider who activates an electronic device on behalf of a user. Sec. 121.003. ELECTRONIC DEVICE FILTER REQUIRED. (a) A manufacturer shall automatically enable a filter on an electronic device that is activated in this state. (b) A filter described by Subsection (a), when enabled, must: (1) prevent a minor user from accessing, downloading, or displaying explicit material through use of: (A) a mobile data network; (B) an Internet network, including Wi-Fi; or (C) a software application owned and controlled by the manufacturer of the electronic device; (2) notify the user of the electronic device when the filter prevents the device from accessing or displaying explicit material; (3) allow the user of the electronic device or a minor user's parent or guardian to circumvent the filter by entering a password or access code; and (4) reasonably prevent a user of the electronic device from circumventing, modifying, removing, or uninstalling the filter without entering a password or access code. Sec. 121.004. PARENTAL CONTROLS REQUIRED. (a) A manufacturer shall provide parental controls on an electronic device that is activated in this state. (b) Parental controls described by Subsection (a), when enabled, must allow a minor's parent or guardian to: (1) limit the amount of time the minor user uses the electronic device; (2) manage the minor's ability to download and use certain applications; and (3) monitor the location of the electronic device. Sec. 121.005. VIOLATION. (a) A manufacturer violates this chapter if: (1) the manufacturer manufactures an electronic device that is activated in this state; (2) the device does not automatically enable a filter under Section 121.003; and (3) a minor user accesses explicit material on the device. (b) A manufacturer violates this chapter if: (1) the manufacturer manufactures an electronic device that is activated in this state; and (2) the device does not have parental controls that meet the requirements of Section 121.004. (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a manufacturer does not violate this chapter if the manufacturer makes a good faith effort to provide an electronic device that automatically enables a filter under Section 121.003. SUBCHAPTER B. ENFORCEMENT Sec. 121.051. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A manufacturer that violates Section 121.005(a) or (b) is liable to this state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for each violation. (b) The attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state to r

    amended

Action History

  1. Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

  2. Read first time

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 183 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (183)

183 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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

Subjects

civil-rights technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 4298 do?
Relating to parental controls and filters for certain explicit material on electronic devices; providing a civil penalty.
Who sponsors HB 4298?
HB 4298 is sponsored by Matt Shaheen.
What is the current status of HB 4298?
This bill died with 89th Legislature, Regular Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 4298?
Track HB 4298 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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