Vt. Republican Predicts Veto of Kids Code Bill if Passed
Vermont Republicans objected to an age-appropriate design code bill (S-69) on the Senate floor Wednesday. State senators voted 25-5 to amend the bill as previously recommended by the Institutions Committee, and then voted by voice to move the bill to a third reading. That action procedurally sets up a final vote, expected Thursday.
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“This bill was written by California," which can't yet enforce its own kids code law due to litigation, complained Sen. Russ Ingalls (R). “This bill is going to get challenged immediately … And I have some good indication that maybe, if it continues the way that it is, it will probably be vetoed.” Gov. Phil Scott (R) vetoed last year’s version of the measure, which was part of an omnibus that also included a comprehensive privacy law.
Meanwhile, Sen. Samuel Douglass (R) said he doesn’t believe age-verification methods required by S-69 “will accurately identify the minors that it's trying to protect."
Don't put businesses ahead of kids, Sen. Kesha Hinsdale (D) responded to opponents. The bill had broad backing last year, she said. "I would really hate to see a lot of that bipartisan support lost now because of false flags and strawmen in terms of who might be hurt in the business community."