This legislation, titled the SAFE for Kids Act of 2026, mandates that certain commercial entities implement robust age verification systems to prevent individuals under 18 years old from accessing "sexual material harmful to minors." A covered commercial entity is defined as one that knowingly publishes or distributes material where more than one-third is classified as such harmful sexual content, as determined by the Federal Trade Commission. To comply, these entities must require individuals attempting to access such material to provide digital identification or verify their age through a commercial age verification system . These systems can rely on government-issued identification, transactional data, or other reliable methods. Crucially, the bill stipulates that covered commercial entities and any third-party contractors are strictly prohibited from retaining or selling any information collected during the age verification process, ensuring user privacy. Enforcement of this Act falls under the purview of multiple bodies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will treat violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices, with broad powers to investigate and penalize non-compliant entities. Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) can initiate criminal investigations and prosecutions for knowing violations, potentially leading to significant fines and imprisonment, especially for severe or deceptive offenses. The bill also establishes a private right of action , allowing individuals, including parents or legal guardians of minors, to bring civil lawsuits against violating commercial entities for declaratory relief, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney's fees. Importantly, internet service providers, search engines, and cloud service providers are explicitly exempted from liability solely for providing access or connection to a covered commercial entity. The FTC and Attorney General are required to submit regular reports to Congress on enforcement activities and compliance trends.