Addictive Design Act of 2026
To direct the President to establish an interagency task force to review, and provide recommendations on, the impact of addictive design features on youth mental health, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs to support the activities of the task force, and for other purposes.
HB9948, known as the Addictive Design Act of 2026, aims to tackle the negative impact of addictive design features on youth mental health. The bill proposes the creation of an interagency task force under the President's direction to review and recommend solutions regarding these issues. Additionally, it would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set up grant programs to support the task force's activities. This bill would affect youth and their mental health directly by addressing the addictive design features in various digital platforms and products.
The bill has been introduced and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Education and Workforce for further consideration. As of the last update, it has been introduced on July 27, 2026, and referred on the same day. The primary sponsor is Becca Balint, with co-sponsors Bonnie Coleman, Thomas Suozzi, and Christopher Deluzio.
Recent actions include the bill's introduction in the House on July 27, 2026, and its referral to the relevant committees. This bill's progress is currently under review by the committees, which will determine its next steps in the legislative process.
