CONWAY, Ark., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL) unanimously passed the App Store Accountability Act as model legislation at the 2025 National Policy Conference held at Liberty University last month. The bill, led by Alaska State Representative Sarah Vance, would require app stores to secure parental approval before minors can download apps on their devices. Rep. Vance also serves as Alaska State Chair for NACL and First Vice Chair of the NACL National Legislative Council.
“I am proud the members of NACL came together to adopt the App Store Accountability Act as model legislation, which will serve as a helpful tool for elected officials across the country as they seek to find creative, bipartisan solutions to protect children from harm online,” said Jason Rapert, NACL Founder & President. “This model legislation is exactly what America needs to empower parents with a helpful tool to help protect their own kids. When you look at life and leadership through a Biblical worldview, as our members do, protecting our children is paramount. We sincerely hope every state in the country will enact this legislation.”
“I have been working to protect children, families, and communities throughout my time in the Alaska state legislature, and this bill is a commonsense solution,” said Alaska State Rep. Sarah Vance. “The App Store Accountability Act honors the basic fact that, when it comes to kids, parents know best.”
The NACL became the first national organization of elected officials to formally adopt the App Store Accountability Act as model legislation. This Act provides a comprehensive framework for protecting children online and restoring parental rights in the digital marketplace. The model bill was introduced by Rep. Sarah Vance (AK) and supported by expert testimony from John Read, Senior Policy Counsel at the Digital Childhood Alliance, and Dawn Hawkins, Senior Advisor at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE).
The App Store Accountability Act includes key provisions to:
- Require verified parental consent for minor users of apps;
- Mandate clear content and data disclosures before apps can be downloaded;
- Enforce strict default safety settings for children and teens;
- Impose penalties and accountability for app stores and developers that violate consent
- or exploit minors;
- Provide a private right of action for families when harm occurs.
Background on the App Store Accountability Act:
This year, the App Store Accountability Act has already been signed into law in Texas, Utah, and Louisiana and was introduced in Congress by U.S. Senator Mike Lee (Utah) and U.S. Representative John James (Michigan).
According to a national poll by the Digital Childhood Alliance, 88 percent of parents support requiring app stores to obtain parental approval for minors to download apps. NACL was proud to join more than 100 organizations in applauding Sen. Lee and Rep. James for introducing the App Store Accountability Act earlier this year in Congress.
About the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL):
The mission of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL) is to unite federal, state, and local elected officials in support of clear biblical principles by meeting regularly to discuss major issues, and propose model statutes, ordinances, and resolutions to address significant policy concerns from a Biblical worldview. Since its inaugural meeting in 2020, the NACL has established 38 elected official state chairs and has garnered members and supporters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.christianlawmakers.com.
SOURCE National Association of Christian Lawmakers
