Plain English Breakdown
The official source confirms the bill expresses legislative intent for future laws on online giving, but it does not specify what those future laws will contain.
AB-576: Rules for Online Charitable Fundraising
This law allows online charity platforms to use a digital tool called an API to check if charities are in good standing and requires the Attorney General to set rules for that tool.
What This Bill Does
- Allows fundraising websites to rely on an application programming interface (API) to verify charity status.
- Requires the Attorney General to create specific rules for how this API must work.
- Keeps existing laws requiring platforms and charities to register with the state before asking for money.
- States that online platforms can only handle donations for organizations in good standing.
Who It Names or Affects
- Online charitable fundraising platforms
- Platform charities
- The California Attorney General
Terms To Know
- Application Programming Interface (API)
- A digital tool that lets computer programs share information automatically.
- Good Standing
- The status of a charity that follows all state rules and registration requirements.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not list the specific details for how the API must work until the Attorney General creates them.
- The text states an intent to pass more laws about online giving but does not include those new rules yet.