Our proposed “Student Area Codes Act of 2025” draft bill aims to enhance digital safety by establishing youth-specific area codes and improving age verification in telecommunications. It targets protecting minors from online threats like cyberbullying and exploitation by introducing stricter content filters, parental controls, and secure communication channels. Our proposed legislation strives to create a safer online environment for children as advocated for in our previous article called Our Federal Legislation Proposal for Youth Area Codes: What to Expect. It is our hope the following draft bill will inspire more conversation with voters, lawmakers, and our commercial sector in telecommunications, social media, and more on the urgent need for our Student Area Code Act of 2025.

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session

S. XXXX

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 19th, 2025 (Date of Introduction Example)

Ms. Smithe introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To establish youth-specific area codes, implement enhanced safety protocols, and provide for age verification in telecommunications services.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the “Student Area Codes Act of 2025.”

SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following:

1. Digital communication requires additional protections for minors.
2. Children and teenagers face online threats including cyberbullying and exploitation.
3. Designating youth-specific area codes will improve child safety and age verification.
4. Public awareness and collaboration with telecommunications providers are necessary.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act:

1. Youth: Individuals under 18 years old.
2. Telecommunications Provider: Any entity offering phone, messaging, or internet services.
3. Covered Service: Any platform requiring age verification.
4. FCC: The Federal Communications Commission.

SEC. 4. YOUTH-SPECIFIC AREA CODES.

1. The FCC shall designate specific area codes 111, 222, 333,444,555,777, and 999 for exclusive use by individuals under 18.
2. These area codes shall be assigned to youth by authorized providers.
3. Providers must transition minors to standard area codes upon reaching adulthood.

SEC. 5. ENHANCED SAFETY PROTOCOLS. Telecommunications providers shall:

1. Filter harmful content in communications using youth-specific area codes.
2. Block known spam, robocalls, and fraudulent contacts.
3. Offer parental control options.
4. Restrict data collection and sharing.
5. Provide reporting mechanisms for unwanted communications.

SEC. 6. AGE VERIFICATION.

1. Youth-specific area codes shall be used as a verification method for online services.
2. The FCC shall coordinate with relevant agencies to set secure guidelines.
3. Platforms must comply with privacy laws when utilizing this verification method.

SEC. 7. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

1. The FCC and the Department of Commerce shall conduct a campaign educating the public on youth-specific area codes.
2. Materials shall be provided to schools, parents, and community organizations.

SEC. 8. ENFORCEMENT AND REGULATIONS.

1. The FCC shall oversee compliance and create implementation regulations.
2. Non-compliant providers shall face penalties.
3. Law enforcement shall address misuse of youth-specific area codes.

SEC. 9. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

1. The FCC shall submit annual reports on the implementation and effectiveness of this Act.
2. Reports shall include adoption rates, security improvements, and public feedback.

SEC. 10. PENALTIES FOR MISUSE.

1. Unauthorized use of youth-specific area codes shall result in penalties.
2. Providers failing to enforce security measures will face fines and service restrictions.

SEC. 11. APPEALS & TRANSITION MECHANISMS.

1. Families may appeal area code assignments in case of errors.
2. A streamlined process shall facilitate the transition of minors to standard area codes at adulthood.

SEC. 12. FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE.

1. Budget allocations shall be made for enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
2. A phased implementation plan shall allow smooth adoption by telecom providers.

SEC. 13. INDUSTRY COLLABORATION REQUIREMENTS.

1. Providers must collaborate with online platforms for seamless age verification.
2. Public-private partnerships shall foster innovations in child safety technology.

SEC. 14. RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION.

1. Ongoing research shall evaluate the effectiveness of youth-specific area codes.
2. Findings shall inform future modifications based on technological advancements.

SEC. 15. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Act is found to be unconstitutional, the remaining sections shall remain in effect.

SEC. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act shall take effect one year after enactment to allow time for necessary preparations.

SEC. 17. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS.

1. Jurisdiction: Ensuring constitutional authority.
2. Technical Feasibility: Consulting telecommunications experts.
3. Cost Assessment: Identifying funding sources and estimating implementation costs.
4. Privacy Compliance: Aligning with existing data protection laws.
5. Stakeholder Input: Engaging parents, educators, and industry leaders.

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Let’s break down this proposed bill section by section, providing a legal explanation for each:

Preamble:

• 119th CONGRESS 2d Session: Indicates this bill was introduced in the second session of the 119th Congress. Congress operates in two-year sessions.
• S. XXXX: Placeholder for the Senate bill number. This number is assigned when the bill is officially introduced.
• IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES: Specifies the chamber where the bill originated.
• [Date of Introduction Example]: The date the bill was formally introduced in the Senate. This is a crucial date for tracking the bill’s progress.
• Ms. Smithe introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: This explains the initial steps. “Read twice” is a formality. Referral to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation means this committee will have initial jurisdiction over the bill, holding hearings, potentially amending it, and deciding whether to send it to the full Senate for a vote.

Body of the Bill:

• SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This section gives the bill its official name: “Student Area Codes Act of 2025.” This is how the law will be referred to if it’s enacted.
• SEC. 2. FINDINGS. This section lays out the reasons Congress believes the legislation is necessary. These findings are important for legal interpretation and can be used to defend the law against potential challenges. They establish the legislative intent.
• SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. This section defines key terms used throughout the bill to avoid ambiguity. Clear definitions are essential for legal certainty.
• SEC. 4. YOUTH-SPECIFIC AREA CODES. This is a core provision. It mandates the FCC to create new area codes for individuals under 18. It also addresses assignment and transition. This section raises potential legal issues regarding equal protection and the FCC’s authority.
• SEC. 5. ENHANCED SAFETY PROTOCOLS. This section places obligations on telecommunications providers, including content filtering, blocking, parental controls, data restrictions, and reporting mechanisms. These requirements could raise First Amendment concerns regarding freedom of speech and also issues of preemption if state laws exist.
• SEC. 6. AGE VERIFICATION. This section mandates the use of youth-specific area codes for age verification on online services. It also directs the FCC to create guidelines. Privacy concerns are paramount here, as is the practicality of implementation.
• SEC. 7. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. This section directs the FCC and Department of Commerce to educate the public about the new system. This is a common practice for new legislation that impacts a broad segment of the population.
• SEC. 8. ENFORCEMENT AND REGULATIONS. This section gives the FCC the power to enforce the Act and create regulations for its implementation. This is standard practice for regulatory legislation. It also addresses penalties for non-compliance.
• SEC. 9. REPORT TO CONGRESS. This section requires the FCC to report back to Congress on the Act’s effectiveness. This oversight mechanism allows Congress to assess the law’s impact and make adjustments if necessary.
• SEC. 10. PENALTIES FOR MISUSE. This section specifies penalties for violating the Act’s provisions. Clear penalties are essential for deterrence and enforcement.
• SEC. 11. APPEALS & TRANSITION MECHANISMS. This section addresses potential errors in area code assignments and provides a process for appeals. It also ensures a smooth transition for individuals when they reach adulthood.
• SEC. 12. FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE. This section addresses the financial aspects of the Act and sets a timeline for implementation. Appropriations are necessary for the law to function.
• SEC. 13. INDUSTRY COLLABORATION REQUIREMENTS. This section mandates cooperation between telecommunications providers and online platforms. This is often necessary when implementing complex technical solutions.
• SEC. 14. RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION. This section calls for ongoing research to evaluate the Act’s effectiveness. Data collection is crucial for informed policymaking.
• SEC. 15. SEVERABILITY. This is a standard clause stating that if one part of the law is found unconstitutional, the rest of the law will still be valid.
• SEC. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE. This section specifies when the law will take effect. A delay is often included to allow for preparation and implementation.
• SEC. 17. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS. This section highlights key areas that will need to be addressed as the bill moves forward, including jurisdiction, technical feasibility, cost, privacy, and stakeholder input. These considerations are not legally binding provisions but rather a roadmap for the legislative process.

Key Legal Issues:

Our proposed legislation raises several significant legal questions, including:

• First Amendment: Content filtering and restrictions on communication could be challenged as violations of free speech.
• Equal Protection: Creating separate area codes for youth could be argued as a form of discrimination based on age.
• Privacy: Collecting and using personal information for age verification raises significant privacy concerns, especially regarding children.
• FCC Authority: The scope of the FCC’s authority to regulate telecommunications services and mandate such a system could be challenged.
• Preemption: If state laws exist regarding data privacy or telecommunications regulation, this federal law could preempt them.

It is important to remember that this is just a proposed bill. It must pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives and be signed into law by the President before it becomes effective. During that process, it’s likely to be debated, amended, and potentially face legal challenges.