UPDATE: Following a shocking shooting at Evergreen High School that left two students injured last month, Colorado legislators are racing to introduce crucial reforms aimed at increasing social media accountability. Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli is leading the charge, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative change to enhance community safety.
In a press conference last week, Marinelli stood alongside local lawmakers to unveil new state and federal legislation designed to prevent future tragedies. The proposed measures would significantly reduce the response time for social media companies to law enforcement inquiries about suspicious online activity. Currently, the law allows a lengthy 35 days for social media platforms to respond to warrants—an unacceptable delay that could jeopardize public safety.
Democratic state representatives Tammy Story and Lisa Cutter have introduced Senate Bill 1255, which mandates social media companies to acknowledge warrants within 8 hours and comply within 24 hours, barring any judicial extensions. This bill also requires platforms to report illegal or threatening content to local authorities within the same timeframe.
The urgency of these legislative efforts is underscored by the tragic events leading up to the shooting. The FBI had initiated an investigation into the shooter’s social media posts months before the incident but was unable to act swiftly enough due to bureaucratic delays. Marinelli stated, “We just want to make sure that our community is safe,” highlighting the human impact of legislative inaction.
In addition to state-level reforms, U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen is pushing for three federal bills that aim to further tighten social media regulations regarding potential threats. One bill proposes a nationwide standard requiring social media companies to respond to law enforcement requests within 72 hours. Another initiative seeks to provide grants for communities to distribute secure firearm storage solutions.
While these legislative efforts gain momentum, a competing bill led by Sen. Lisa Frizell from Castle Rock is also advancing through the state legislature. Frizell’s bill aims for similar objectives but allows social media companies a longer 72 hours to comply with warrants. This divergence has sparked a critical debate among lawmakers, with Frizell asserting her intention to expedite her bill’s passage.
The stakes are high as Colorado grapples with a series of gun violence incidents, including the recent shooting at Denver’s East High School. Lawmakers are also revisiting legislation targeting ghost guns, which are untraceable firearms often assembled at home.
As these developments unfold, advocates and community members are closely monitoring the situation. The urgency for effective legislation has never been more pronounced, and the outcome of these bills could shape the future landscape of school safety and social media accountability in Colorado and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates as legislators work to ensure swift action and public safety in the wake of recent events.
