FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Press@KidsCodeCoalition.org
Families Request Meeting to Discuss Vermont Kids Code with Governor
MONTPELIER – Dozens of Vermont parents and families have sent a letter urging Governor Phil Scott to protect kids’ data, privacy, and safety online by enacting Vermont Kids Code, provisions that would ensure children and teens have basic privacy and safety protections, which unanimously passed both legislative chambers earlier this month as a key component of data privacy bill H.121.
“By signing H.121 into law, you can prioritize the health, safety, and wellbeing of Vermont’s children and families,” wrote the parents and families. “We respectfully ask that you meet with us, other concerned parents, and our children directly to discuss this bill and the current online world’s impact on our families.”
The families’ letter to Governor Scott follows last week’s letter from more than a dozen organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, business leaders Front Porch Forum, and the youth-led Design It For Us, urging the Governor to listen to the public mandate for action to protect kids’ data, privacy, and safety online by signing H.121 into law.
“Families are in crisis,” continued parents and families. “We’re fighting every day to protect our kids from an online world that wasn’t designed for them or with their best interests in mind, and instead only considers big tech profits and bottom lines.”
This year in Vermont, major tech companies have significantly ramped up their lobbying efforts to oppose H.121 and the Vermont Kids Code, exemplifying Big Tech’s substantial and growing influence in state politics. As Governor Phil Scott faces intense out-of-state lobbying pressure to veto H.121., he has the opportunity to resist this pressure and support this bipartisan bill to ensure stronger privacy protections that work to protect all Vermont residents, including our children. Similar bills in Maryland and California also had overwhelming bipartisan support on their way to becoming law.
Read the parents’ letter here.
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