Attorney General Jay Jones announced on May 30 that he is taking action to oppose federal measures related to children’s online safety and environmental standards in Virginia.
Jones joined a coalition of attorneys general writing in opposition to the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, also known as the KIDS Act. He said the legislation would put regulation in the hands of social media companies and make it more difficult for states to intervene. “The KIDS Act is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, claiming to protect young Virginians online when in reality this bill will put children’s social media health in the hands of the companies that are currently attempting to skirt existing state law through their platforms,” said Jones. “This bill is an attempt to step over the authority of both parents and guardians as well as the states’ enforcement powers. Virginia’s children deserve to be protected from unscrupulous Big Tech companies, and this office will use every legal tool available to fight for them.” According to Jones, parts of the bill would eliminate critical age verification standards for covered platforms and create loopholes around artificial intelligence chatbots that could endanger young people.
Research has shown negative mental health consequences from unregulated access by minors to online platforms such as social media. Instead of increasing opportunities for states to intervene, Jones said that “the KIDS Act is another attempt by the federal government to grab power and limit state authority.” In a statement sent to News 3, he affirmed his support for regulating children’s access while criticizing provisions he says would weaken digital safety safeguards already present at the state level.
In addition, Jones joined a coalition opposing a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal seeking repeal of national emission standards for ethylene oxide used by commercial sterilization facilities. According to the EPA’s own assessment, ethylene oxide is classified as a human carcinogen under Clean Air Act regulations. “The Commonwealth takes pride in being home to a diverse landscape and Virginians are united in our urgency to protect our air, land, and sea. This proposal puts the health of the people and our air in harm’s way,” said Jones.
A lawsuit was filed with other attorneys general against this EPA proposal after stricter rules on ethylene oxide emissions were implemented during former President Joe Biden’s administration following updated scientific findings about its dangers. The new administration has proposed returning regulations back toward less stringent previous standards. The public comment period on these changes ended earlier this month; agency review will follow before any rule finalization.
The Attorney General of Virginia supports civil rights enforcement; provides legal counsel; addresses issues such as human trafficking; offers consumer protection resources; serves all residents statewide; and Miyares holds office as its 48th Attorney General, according to information on its official website.
