Franke family speaks in support of new protections for child actors, influencers

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers have taken the first step in approving new protections for child actors and influencers.

A bill that advanced Tuesday got a strong endorsement from Kevin Franke, the ex-husband of former YouTuber and convicted child abuser Ruby Franke.

“Vlogging my family – putting my children into public social media – was wrong, and I regret it every day,” Kevin Franke told the House Business and Labor Committee, which unanimously approved HB322.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Doug Owens, D-Millcreek, requires parents to set the money their children make acting or making content on social media aside in a trust. It also creates a path for kids to get social media content removed when they're adults.

“Children cannot give informed consent to be filmed on social media, period,” said Kevin Franke, whose family ran a popular YouTube channel called "8 Passengers" which has since been shut down.

Ruby Franke was arrested in 2023 and charged with child abuse. She and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were both later convicted and sent to prison.

Owens told his fellow lawmakers the bill is focused on people who are “making a lot of money.” He also pointed out it does not ban family vlogging.

“The state of Utah, I don't think, is going to be willing to regulate families to that extent and say that people can't create video content with their kids,” Owens said. “I don't think we're ready for that, so we're trying to take some initial steps.”

No one spoke in opposition to the bill. Dave Davis, a lobbyist, said content creators he represents are neutral on it.

“They can make it work if it’s the will of the body to move forward in this direction,” Davis told lawmakers.

Before the House committee approved Owens' bill, Kevin Franke read messages of support from two of his young daughters.

https://ksltv.com/local-news/ruby-frankes-oldest-daughter-speaks-to-utah-lawmakers-on-behalf-of-children-in-family-vlogs/694742/  

“This bill should be passed,” said Julie Franke, 16. “Had it been in place when my family was doing YouTube, my mom would not have been able to withdraw all of my savings I had from doing YouTube. This bill will prevent other kids from having to go through the pain of realizing that the compensation for years’ worth of time and effort is suddenly gone.”

“I'm not saying YouTube is a bad thing. Sometimes it brings us together,” added Eve Franke, 11. “But kids deserve to be loved, not used by the ones that are supposed to love them the most.”

HB322 now heads to the full House of Representatives for a vote. It would also need to pass the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk.

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