Discussion addressed the state’s approach to online age verification and its impact on developers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (August 22, 2025) — The Developers Alliance yesterday hosted Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), staff from the offices of Rep. Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown), Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Township), and Speaker of the Ohio House Matt Huffman (R-Lima), and a group of Columbus area app founders for a tech policy roundtable discussion.
During a lively conversation, Ohio-based developers shared their perspectives on policies impacting the tech industry, specifically age verification requirements, as the Ohio legislature considers two competing proposals, HB 302 and HB 226.
“It was great meeting with Rep. Plummer to hear how his bill addresses the need to better manage kids’ access to content online, without overburdening small apps with unnecessary requirements,” said Juliet Okafor, CEO & Founder of RevolutionCyber. “I appreciate the opportunity to help shape thoughtful, balanced policy that helps keep kids safe, while also allowing the Ohio tech scene to thrive.”
HB 302, co-sponsored by Reps. Plummer and Workman, would require app stores and mobile operating systems to share users’ ages with apps that have different content for users based on their age. On the other hand, HB 266 would require every app, regardless of the content it displays, to receive the ages of every user. HB 226 would also require kids under the age of sixteen to receive parental consent before downloading any app, while creating a massive carveout for apps that come pre-installed on a device, like some social media platforms.
“It was wonderful to hear directly from developers and understand how policy proposals impact their work and the larger tech industry,” said Rep. Plummer. “Developers play a crucial role in shaping the digital economy, and their insights help ensure that legislation, like HB 302, is both effective and practical.”
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About the Developers Alliance:
The Developers Alliance advocates on behalf of developers, the companies they lead, and the industries that depend on them. We help policymakers and stakeholders understand the specific needs of the developer workforce and advocate for policies that responsibly advance the broader tech sector.
