California 2021-2022 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB1114 Latest Draft

Bill / Amended Version Filed 04/19/2021

                            Amended IN  Assembly  April 19, 2021 Amended IN  Assembly  April 05, 2021 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1114Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kiley)February 18, 2021 An act to add Title 15 15.5 (commencing with Section 3200) to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, relating to the internet. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1114, as amended, Gallagher. Social media platform: traditional First Amendment forum. unprotected speech.Existing constitutional law establishes the right of freedom of speech. Existing case law interpreting those provisions applies varying levels of scrutiny to state action that restricts protected speech, based on the nature of the forum in which the speech occurs. and classifies specific types of speech as unprotected speech, including, but not limited to, obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, which are given lesser or no protection under the First Amendment.This bill would declare that, notwithstanding any law, a social media platform, as defined, shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum for those purposes, as specified. The bill would require a social media platform located in California California, as defined, to develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Title 15.5 (commencing with Section 3200) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read:TITLE 15.5. Social Media Platforms3200.(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a social media platform located in California shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum, as set forth in PruneYard Shopping Center v. Robbins (1980) 447 U.S. 74. (b)3200. (a) A social media platform located in California shall develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.(c)(b) As used in this section:(1) Located in California means, to the extent consistent with federal law, either the person operating the social media platform maintains a business in California, or the user of that platform is located in California.(2) Social media platform means an electronic service held open to the general public to post electronic content or communication, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, or messages, intended to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media platform does not include a platform operated by a local, state, or federal entity or agency of government.

 Amended IN  Assembly  April 19, 2021 Amended IN  Assembly  April 05, 2021 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1114Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kiley)February 18, 2021 An act to add Title 15 15.5 (commencing with Section 3200) to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, relating to the internet. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1114, as amended, Gallagher. Social media platform: traditional First Amendment forum. unprotected speech.Existing constitutional law establishes the right of freedom of speech. Existing case law interpreting those provisions applies varying levels of scrutiny to state action that restricts protected speech, based on the nature of the forum in which the speech occurs. and classifies specific types of speech as unprotected speech, including, but not limited to, obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, which are given lesser or no protection under the First Amendment.This bill would declare that, notwithstanding any law, a social media platform, as defined, shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum for those purposes, as specified. The bill would require a social media platform located in California California, as defined, to develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO 

 Amended IN  Assembly  April 19, 2021 Amended IN  Assembly  April 05, 2021

Amended IN  Assembly  April 19, 2021
Amended IN  Assembly  April 05, 2021

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION

 Assembly Bill 

No. 1114

Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kiley)February 18, 2021

Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher(Coauthor: Assembly Member Kiley)
February 18, 2021

 An act to add Title 15 15.5 (commencing with Section 3200) to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, relating to the internet. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1114, as amended, Gallagher. Social media platform: traditional First Amendment forum. unprotected speech.

Existing constitutional law establishes the right of freedom of speech. Existing case law interpreting those provisions applies varying levels of scrutiny to state action that restricts protected speech, based on the nature of the forum in which the speech occurs. and classifies specific types of speech as unprotected speech, including, but not limited to, obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, which are given lesser or no protection under the First Amendment.This bill would declare that, notwithstanding any law, a social media platform, as defined, shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum for those purposes, as specified. The bill would require a social media platform located in California California, as defined, to develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.

Existing constitutional law establishes the right of freedom of speech. Existing case law interpreting those provisions applies varying levels of scrutiny to state action that restricts protected speech, based on the nature of the forum in which the speech occurs. and classifies specific types of speech as unprotected speech, including, but not limited to, obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, which are given lesser or no protection under the First Amendment.

This bill would declare that, notwithstanding any law, a social media platform, as defined, shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum for those purposes, as specified. The bill would require a social media platform located in California California, as defined, to develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Title 15.5 (commencing with Section 3200) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read:TITLE 15.5. Social Media Platforms3200.(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a social media platform located in California shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum, as set forth in PruneYard Shopping Center v. Robbins (1980) 447 U.S. 74. (b)3200. (a) A social media platform located in California shall develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.(c)(b) As used in this section:(1) Located in California means, to the extent consistent with federal law, either the person operating the social media platform maintains a business in California, or the user of that platform is located in California.(2) Social media platform means an electronic service held open to the general public to post electronic content or communication, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, or messages, intended to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media platform does not include a platform operated by a local, state, or federal entity or agency of government.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Title 15.5 (commencing with Section 3200) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read:TITLE 15.5. Social Media Platforms3200.(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a social media platform located in California shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum, as set forth in PruneYard Shopping Center v. Robbins (1980) 447 U.S. 74. (b)3200. (a) A social media platform located in California shall develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.(c)(b) As used in this section:(1) Located in California means, to the extent consistent with federal law, either the person operating the social media platform maintains a business in California, or the user of that platform is located in California.(2) Social media platform means an electronic service held open to the general public to post electronic content or communication, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, or messages, intended to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media platform does not include a platform operated by a local, state, or federal entity or agency of government.

SECTION 1. Title 15.5 (commencing with Section 3200) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read:

### SECTION 1.

TITLE 15.5. Social Media Platforms3200.(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a social media platform located in California shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum, as set forth in PruneYard Shopping Center v. Robbins (1980) 447 U.S. 74. (b)3200. (a) A social media platform located in California shall develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.(c)(b) As used in this section:(1) Located in California means, to the extent consistent with federal law, either the person operating the social media platform maintains a business in California, or the user of that platform is located in California.(2) Social media platform means an electronic service held open to the general public to post electronic content or communication, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, or messages, intended to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media platform does not include a platform operated by a local, state, or federal entity or agency of government.

TITLE 15.5. Social Media Platforms3200.(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a social media platform located in California shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum, as set forth in PruneYard Shopping Center v. Robbins (1980) 447 U.S. 74. (b)3200. (a) A social media platform located in California shall develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.(c)(b) As used in this section:(1) Located in California means, to the extent consistent with federal law, either the person operating the social media platform maintains a business in California, or the user of that platform is located in California.(2) Social media platform means an electronic service held open to the general public to post electronic content or communication, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, or messages, intended to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media platform does not include a platform operated by a local, state, or federal entity or agency of government.

TITLE 15.5. Social Media Platforms

TITLE 15.5. Social Media Platforms



(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a social media platform located in California shall be considered a traditional First Amendment forum, as set forth in PruneYard Shopping Center v. Robbins (1980) 447 U.S. 74.



(b)



3200. (a) A social media platform located in California shall develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.(c)(b) As used in this section:(1) Located in California means, to the extent consistent with federal law, either the person operating the social media platform maintains a business in California, or the user of that platform is located in California.(2) Social media platform means an electronic service held open to the general public to post electronic content or communication, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, or messages, intended to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media platform does not include a platform operated by a local, state, or federal entity or agency of government.



3200. (a) A social media platform located in California shall develop a policy or mechanism to address content or communications that constitute unprotected speech, including obscenity, incitement of imminent lawless action, and true threats, or that purport to state factual information that is demonstrably false.

(c)



(b) As used in this section:

(1) Located in California means, to the extent consistent with federal law, either the person operating the social media platform maintains a business in California, or the user of that platform is located in California.

(2) Social media platform means an electronic service held open to the general public to post electronic content or communication, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, or messages, intended to facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media platform does not include a platform operated by a local, state, or federal entity or agency of government.