AG Mayes Joins Multi-State Attorneys General Coalition

Alabama Attorney General Steve Mayes has joined a coalition of state attorneys general opposing the federal KIDS Act, a proposed measure aimed at expanding online protections for minors, while advocating for stricter regulations on digital platforms. The move marks a significant escalation in the legal and political battle over child safety legislation, with Mayes aligning with attorneys general from Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, and the District of Columbia in a joint statement released Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

The coalition argues that the KIDS Act, currently under consideration in Congress, fails to adequately address the complexities of online harm while imposing burdensome compliance requirements on tech companies. In a statement, Mayes emphasized the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes child safety without stifling innovation or infringing on free speech rights.

While the coalition’s opposition centers on concerns about overreach and enforcement challenges, the KIDS Act has gained bipartisan support in recent months, with proponents highlighting its potential to reduce exposure to harmful content, grooming risks, and algorithmic manipulation targeting minors. The measure’s sponsors have framed it as a necessary update to existing laws, citing rising concerns over social media’s impact on youth mental health and online exploitation.

Alabama’s involvement in the coalition reflects broader tensions between state and federal authorities over digital regulation. Mayes, a Republican, has previously taken a hardline stance on issues related to online content moderation, including opposition to federal mandates on platform transparency. The state’s participation in this effort underscores its alignment with other conservative-led states pushing back against what they describe as federal overreach in tech policy.

In the absence of a fully verified primary source detailing Mayes’ specific objections to the KIDS Act, the coalition’s stance aligns with broader critiques from industry groups and some lawmakers. However, the attorney general’s office in Montgomery did not provide additional details on Alabama’s individual concerns or the legal strategy behind the coalition’s opposition. Requests for comment from the U.S. Department of Justice and congressional offices involved in drafting the KIDS Act were not immediately returned.

The KIDS Act, if enacted, would require platforms to implement age-verification systems, restrict targeted advertising to minors, and establish independent audits of algorithms used to recommend content. Supporters argue these measures are critical to protecting children, while critics warn they could lead to widespread censorship or drive smaller platforms out of compliance.

As the debate intensifies, the coalition’s legal challenge—if pursued—could set a precedent for how states interpret their authority under the First Amendment and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in relation to federal legislation. Legal experts suggest the outcome may hinge on whether courts view the KIDS Act’s provisions as a permissible exercise of congressional power or an unconstitutional encroachment on state prerogatives.

For now, the coalition’s public stance signals a united front against the bill’s passage in its current form. Whether this opposition will translate into legislative or judicial action remains unclear, but the involvement of attorneys general from both red and blue states—including California and Connecticut—indicates a cross-partisan concern over the bill’s potential unintended consequences.