Kentucky
Kentucky has required age verification for adult websites since 2024, enforceable only through private civil action since the statute bars government enforcement. A bill requiring age verification, parental consent, and default restrictions on addictive features for minors on social media and AI companion platforms passed the House unanimously in March 2026 but died in the Senate Judiciary Committee when the session ended. No app store accountability or design code bill has advanced past committee.
Subnational jurisdiction. Reviewed 2026-07-15.
HB 278, age verification for matter harmful to minors
Commercial entities that knowingly publish or distribute matter harmful to minors on a website containing a substantial portion of such material must perform reasonable age verification of Kentucky users.
- Citation
- KRS 436.001 to 436.009 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 106)
- Status
- In force
- Effective date
- 2024-07-15
- Applies to
- Private sector
- Age threshold
- 18
- Verification methods
- gov id, transactional data
- Covered services
- Websites where a substantial portion of content is matter harmful to minors.
- Penalties
- Private civil action for at least $10,000 per instance a minor accessed harmful material, plus actual damages, court costs, and attorney fees.
- Enforcement body
- None; KRS 436.006 expressly prohibits enforcement by governmental entities or officers, leaving only private civil actions.
- Private right of action
- yes
- Source
- KRS 436.001 to 436.009 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 106)
HB 227, addictive online platforms and minor protections
Would require social media and AI companion platforms to estimate user age, place users under 15 into default child safety settings and disable addictive features such as autoplay absent parental consent, and give parents account monitoring tools. Passed the House 96 to 0 on March 9, 2026, received two readings in the Senate, but died in the Senate Judiciary Committee when the 2026 session ended in April.
- Citation
- House Bill No. 227 (2026 Regular Session), died in Senate committee
- Status
- Proposed
- Effective date
- Not yet effective
- Applies to
- Private sector
- Age threshold
- 15
- Verification methods
- self declaration, parental consent
- Covered services
- Social media platforms and AI companion chatbot platforms.
- Enforcement body
- Kentucky Attorney General
- Private right of action
- yes
- Source
- House Bill No. 227 (2026 Regular Session), died in Senate committee
Reviewed 2026-07-15. Confidence: high. Fast-moving area, verify before relying. Not legal advice.