COLUMBUS, Ohio - State Rep. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) will be introducing a legislation prohibiting social media platforms from censoring users from expressing themselves unless in violation of state or federal law.

According to Cutrona, this legislation is to ensure social media users' constitutional rights are protected and to allow for all viewpoints to be expressed on social media.

"As Americans, obviously we are not all going to agree with one another on thoughts and ideas, and that's okay. But it's certainly not the job of big tech employees to choose favorites on what deserves censorship based on ambiguous policies and their personal views," Cutrona said.

Cutrona says that recent polling shows that a majority of Americans are in favor of regulating social media companies in order to protect freedom of speech. He has also heard concerns over social media platforms banning Former President Donald Trump, but allowing Taliban accounts to remain on their platforms.

If passed, this legislation would implement the following:

- Prohibits social media platforms from censoring a user based on the ideas they express unless those ideas violate federal or state law.

- If a social media platform does remove content, they must notify the user that the content was removed and why. The platform must also provide an opportunity for the user to appeal the decision.

- Requires that social media platforms publicly disclose accurate information in regards to their content management, data management and business practices. This includes how it curates and targets content to its users, moderates content and what algorithms or procedures are used to determine what appears when users search on the platforms.

- If a social media platform censors a user and violates this legislation, the user can file a complaint with the Attorney General's office and the Attorney General will bring civil action against the platform to receive injunction action and recover reasonable attorney fees and investigative costs. The user can also sue the social media platform to receive declaratory and injunctive relief. If the social media platform refuses to comply with court orders, they can be held in contempt of court.

Currently, 29 other states have introduced similar legislation against social media censorship.

Cutrona is currently seeking cosponsors for this bill as it awaits introduction.