If you run a cleaning or home service business in the US, you may have heard that Congress is working on online safety laws for kids, some of them built around a "duty of care". Here is where things stand, in plain English, and what is actually worth doing on your website.
Where the bills stand
On 29 June 2026 the US House of Representatives passed the KIDS Act (H.R. 7757) by 267 to 117. It does not include the "duty of care" provision that campaigners wanted. The Senate's Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA, S. 1748) does include a duty of care, and its sponsors have said the House version falls short. So the two chambers are still negotiating, and nothing has become law yet.
Who it is aimed at
These bills are written for large online platforms, such as social media, video, messaging and gaming services used by minors. A local service business with a brochure website and a quote form is not the target.
The rules that already apply to small businesses
COPPA already limits collecting personal information from children under 13.
State privacy laws, for example in California, can require a clear privacy notice and ways for people to opt out or delete their data.
Accessibility rules and lawsuits mean your site should work with screen readers and keyboards.
A simple checklist
Publish a plain privacy policy and link it in your footer.
Collect only what you need on forms. Name, phone and ZIP code is usually enough to quote.
Do not collect information from children, and avoid public comment features.
Moderate any reviews or comments you display.
Keep your website and software updated, with strong passwords and two-step sign-in.
Test your site on a phone and with basic accessibility checks.
What we do at Growth by AETOS
We build client websites with minimal data collection, a privacy policy page, and no public interaction features. We are tracking the Senate and House negotiations and will update this checklist if anything passes.
This article is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure how any law applies to your business, speak to a lawyer. Details above were current on 18 October 2026 and may change.
