HB166INTRODUCED
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HB166
6D7FZ1Z-1
By Representatives Hulsey, Collins, Baker, Faulkner, DuBose
RFD: Education Policy
First Read: 04-Feb-25
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First Read: 04-Feb-25
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, a local board of education may
permit a pupil to carry or use a pocket pager, cellular
telephone, or other electronic communication device while
on school property. This bill would repeal that law.
This bill would prohibit a student from using,
operating, or possessing a wireless communications device
on public elementary or secondary school grounds during
the instructional day subject to certain exceptions and
subject to written policies adopted by a local board of
education to implement this act.
This bill would require each local board of
education to adopt an internet safety policy that
addresses student access to the internet on
district-owned devices.
This bill would require students to receive
instruction on the risks and benefits of social media
and how to use social media safely prior to entering
the eighth grade.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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Relating to public K-12 education; to prohibit the use,
operation, and possession of wireless communication devices on
certain public school properties; to require local boards of
education to adopt an Internet safety policy; to add Section
16-40-13, Code of Alabama 1975, to require students to
complete a social media safety course prior to entering the
eighth grade; and to repeal Section 16-1-27.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1.(a) The Legislature finds:
(1) Each student in an Alabama public K-12 school should
be college- or career-ready upon high school graduation.
(2) Many high school teachers believe that cell phones
and other electronic communication devices are distracting
students in the classroom.
(3) Studies have shown that cell phones and other
electronic communication devices are negatively impacting
learning outcomes.
(4) Studies have shown that increased social media usage
may negatively affect the mental health of school-aged
children.
Section 2. (a) As used in this section, the following
terms have the following meanings:
(1) INSTRUCTIONAL DAY. The period of time during which a
public elementary or secondary school is open and in session
for purpose of meeting the minimum number of instructional
days or hours pursuant to Section 16-13-231. The term also
includes any other time specified in a wireless communication
device policy.
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device policy.
(2) WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE. A cellular telephone,
tablet computer, laptop computer, pager, gaming device, or any
other portable electronic device identified in a wireless
communication device policy that has the capability of
exchanging voice, messaging, or other data communication with
another electronic device.
(3) WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE POLICY. A written
policy adopted by a local board of education to implement this
section.
(b) Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, no student
shall use or operate any wireless communication device in any
public elementary or secondary school building or on the
grounds thereof during the instructional day.
(c) Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, no student
may possess a wireless communication device in any public
elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds
thereof during the instructional day unless the wireless
communication device is turned off and stored in a locker,
backpack, car, or similar storage location.
(d) Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c), a student
may use, operate, or possess a wireless communication device
in a public elementary or secondary school building or on the
grounds thereof during the instructional day in any of the
following circumstances:
(1) The use, operation, or possession is pursuant to the
student’s Individualized Education Program, Individualized
Accommodation Plan, Section 504 plan, or Individualized Health
Plan.
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Plan.
(2) The use, operation, or possession is for educational
or learning purposes under the supervision of local board of
education personnel.
(3) The use, operation, or possession occurs during an
emergency threatening the health, safety, or well-being of the
student or another person.
(4) The use, operation, or possession is for a health,
safety, family or educational purpose as authorized in a
wireless communication device policy.
(e) No later than July 1, 2026, each local board of
education shall adopt a wireless communication device policy.
The wireless communication device policy shall permit students
to use, possess, and operate wireless communication devices
for a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed ten minutes,
during the instructional day during the time set by the
policy. The wireless communication device policy shall include
consequences for violations. The local board of education
shall reasonably distribute the wireless communication device
policy to students, parents, faculty, and staff.
Section 3.(a) No later than July 1, 2026, each local
board of education shall adopt an internet safety policy that
addresses student access to the internet on devices owned by
the local board of education.
(b) The policy shall do all of the following:
(1) Limit internet access by students to only
age-appropriate subject matters and materials deemed
age-appropriate pursuant to the policy.
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age-appropriate pursuant to the policy.
(2) Protect the safety and security of students when
using email, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic
communication.
(3) Prohibit access by students to unlawfully obtained
data or information, including hacking, and other unlawful
online activity by students.
(4) Prevent access to websites, web applications, or
software that exposes students to the disclosure, use, or
dissemination of their personal information.
(5) Prohibit and prevent students from accessing social
media platforms, except when expressly directed by a teacher
solely for educational purposes.
Section 4.Section 16-40-13 is added to the Code of
Alabama to read as follows:
Ҥ 16-40-13
(a) No later than July 1, 2026, the State Department of
Education shall develop and approve an asynchronous, digitally
delivered course that addresses the risks of using social
media and how to use social media safely.
(b) At a minimum, the course shall include the following
topics:
(1) The benefits of safely using age-appropriate social
media platforms, including career and resume building for
future academic or employment opportunities; sharing
information with family and friends; and safely connecting
with other users with similar interests.
(2) The risks of social media use including its negative
effects on mental health, including addiction; the
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effects on mental health, including addiction; the
distribution of misinformation on social media; how social
media manipulates behavior; the permanency of sharing
materials online.
(3) Safe practices for using social media including how
to report suspicious behavior; how to identify cyberbullying,
phishing and scam communications, predatory behavior, and
human trafficking; and maintaining personal security and
preventing oversharing of personal information.
(c) The Department of Education shall make the course
available online and each local board of education shall
reasonably notify parents of its availability. Each local
board of education shall deliver the course to all students
prior to entering the eighth grade and shall make the course
available to students in grades eight through 12 who transfer
to the school district or who otherwise have not completed the
course.
(d) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
implement the provisions of this section.”
Section 5. Section 16-1-27, Code of Alabama 1975,
providing for the use of electronic communications devices on
school property, is repealed.
Section 6. This act shall become effective immediately
following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its
otherwise becoming law.
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