Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S463 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2285 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 463
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	John C. Velis, (BY REQUEST)
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act regulating screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Kirstin Beatty149 Central Park Drive, Holyoke, MA
16	16	01040 1 of 20
17	17	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2285 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
18	18	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 463
19	19	By Mr. Velis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 463) of Kirstin Beatty,
20	20	for legislation to regulate screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education.
21	21	Education.
22	22	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
23	23	_______________
24	24	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
25	25	(2025-2026)
26	26	_______________
27	27	An Act regulating screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education.
28	28	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
29	29	of the same, as follows:
30	30	1 SECTION 1. The legislature finds and declares all of the following:
31	31	2 Whereas, information technology captures data for profiling, predictive analytics, and
32	32	3crime, and addictive persuasive design influences thoughts and behavior.
33	33	4 Whereas, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a 2019 study that
34	34	5found high levels of screen time reduces structural integrity in key brain areas responsible for
35	35	6literacy and language.
36	36	7 Whereas, digital programs are under corporate direction and outside local control, and the
37	37	8content of corporate educational materials has often been found to reflect corporate interests,
38	38	9corporate marketing, be generic, and lack currency or individualization.
39	39	10 Whereas, the Massachusetts education standards mandate screen time: writing standards
40	40	11require students “use [digital tools (e.g. computers, mobile phones, cameras)] to convey 2 of 20
41	41	12messages in pictures and in words” in PreK; “explore a variety of digital tools” to write in Grade
42	42	131; and gather information from digital sources by Grade 3.
43	43	14 Whereas, integrating software learning into every subject requires far too much time and
44	44	15energy of teachers and students to evaluate, regulate, learn, fix and maintain software that
45	45	16quickly becomes outmoded -- yet Massachusetts education standards integrate technology into
46	46	17every subject and thus subtract precious time from other subjects like handwriting and
47	47	18mathematics, as well as from higher order thinking and knowledge.
48	48	19 Whereas, an hour of videoconferencing or streaming emits 150 – 1,000 grams of carbon
49	49	20dioxide (a gallon of gasoline car exhaust emits about 8,887 grams), requires 2 – 12 liters of
50	50	21water, and demands a land area about the size of an iPad Mini (Obringer et al, 2021).
51	51	22 Whereas, mandates for screen time prevent public schools from adopting alternative
52	52	23learning models that may be locally preferred, such as Montessori, Waldorf, or outdoor learning
53	53	24models.
54	54	25 Whereas, extended screen time is widely acknowledged as harmful to physical health due
55	55	26to time sitting, staring, blue light exposure, magnetic and electric fields, wireless emissions, and
56	56	27lack of movement.
57	57	28 Whereas, Dr. Martin Pall, Dr. Devra Davis, Dr. Henry Lai, Dr. Belpoggi, Dr. Belyaev,
58	58	29Dr. De-Kun Li, Dr. Belpomme, and countless other reputable experts have provided peer-
59	59	30reviewed studies demonstrating that exposure to non-ionizing radiation like wireless and certain
60	60	31electricity exposures causes DNA breaks and mutations in germ line cells that produce mutations
61	61	32in future generations; produces oxidative stress and free radical damage that have major roles in 3 of 20
62	62	33chronic disease; and attacks the endocrine and nervous systems including our hormone balance
63	63	34and our brains.
64	64	35 Resolved, that the policy goals of this act shall be to encourage educational authorities to
65	65	36view technology use and screen time as secondary to education, utilizing only when strong
66	66	37evidence of benefits exists and privacy is protected; to eliminate state mandates to utilize
67	67	38technology across curriculum in public schools; to provide a basic set of limits on student
68	68	39technology and school screen time use from early education through grade twelve; and to
69	69	40encourage alternatives to virtual and digital learning.
70	70	41 SECTION 2. Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following
71	71	42section:-
72	72	43 School screen time and cellphone limits
73	73	44 (a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words shall have the following
74	74	45meanings:
75	75	46 “Board'' is the board of elementary and secondary education.
76	76	47 ''Commissioner'' is the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.
77	77	48 “Confidential data” is data collected on students or staff and which includes:
78	78	49 (1) standard identifying information:
79	79	50 i. names of staff and students
80	80	51 ii. dates of birth 4 of 20
81	81	52 iii. addresses
82	82	53 iv. grades
83	83	54 v. medical information
84	84	55 vi. exam results
85	85	56 vii. staff development reviews
86	86	57 viii. assessments
87	87	58 ix. other personal identifying information
88	88	59 (2) identifying data such as location-tracking, photographs, and biometric data, which
89	89	60includes unique biological or behavioral identifiers such but not limited to voice audio,
90	90	61fingerprints, gait recognition, and keystroke dynamics.
91	91	62 (3) personal writings or other personal work such as art
92	92	63 (4) political views
93	93	64 (5) socioeconomic data
94	94	65 (6) disciplinary data
95	95	66 (7) similar data or information on other individuals that are not students or staff, but may
96	96	67be referenced in or extracted from student and staff data.
97	97	68 (8) observed and inferred data from the data provided
98	98	69 ''Department'' is the department of elementary and secondary education. 5 of 20
99	99	70 “Screen time” is time viewing a technological or digital screen which includes but is not
100	100	71limited to a television, a smart board, projector, or computer.
101	101	72 “Passive screen time” is time viewing a technological or digital screen in which one only
102	102	73observes and does not interact or alter the screen by typing or otherwise moving the body.
103	103	74 “Interactive screen time” is time viewing and interacting with or altering a technological
104	104	75or digital screen by typing or otherwise moving the body.
105	105	76 “Virtual reality” is an interactive screen time experience taking place in a simulated
106	106	77visual environment, either real or imagined, and may incorporate auditory and sensory feedback.
107	107	78Augmented reality systems is a type of virtual reality in which perception of the real world is
108	108	79augmented by computer-generated perceptual information such as visual, auditory, haptic,
109	109	80somatosensory, and olfactory.
110	110	81 “Authority” is the authority legally invested with setting policy for a public charter
111	111	82school, virtual school, or, in the case of a school district, the elected school committee.
112	112	83 (b) School screen time limits. Each public school authority shall set and publish a limit on
113	113	84school screen time and cellphone use, setting limits for both interactive screen time and passive
114	114	85screen time with input from the local community, school staff, students, and guardians. A
115	115	86baseline for school screen time and cellphone limits is provided in subsection (e), which shall
116	116	87apply unless the authority adopts more stringent or liberal limits. The authority must base its
117	117	88school screen time limits on the principles defined in subsection (c) and must follow a public
118	118	89commenting process as defined in subsection (d) for an initial and ensuing annual review. Except
119	119	90as defined in subsection (f), any other revisions to existing school screen time limits also require
120	120	91a public hearing. 6 of 20
121	121	92 Except as defined in this subsection and subsection (f), it shall be unlawful for any school
122	122	93or teaching staff to allow a student enrolled in either public primary or secondary schools in the
123	123	94Commonwealth to exceed screen time limits during and after school hours for school-related
124	124	95assignments, including extra-curricular activities.
125	125	96 Except as defined in subsection (c) and (f), it shall be unlawful to require screen time as a
126	126	97condition of public primary and secondary school required coursework or activities.
127	127	98 Nothing in this law requires the use of digital technology or screen time, nor preempts
128	128	99more restrictive state or local limitations.
129	129	100 (c) Screen time principles. School screen time limits must be premised on educational
130	130	101benefits to the student and safe use rather than simply convenience or savings to the educator or
131	131	102school system. Therefore, recommendations for school screen time limits must be based on the
132	132	103following findings:
133	133	104 (1) The educational goal cannot be as easily or as quickly be accomplished by traditional
134	134	105educational methods which do not use screen time and the use of technology serves an
135	135	106educational purpose;
136	136	107 (2) The specific use of screen time provides educational benefits superior to traditional
137	137	108methods which do not use screen time;
138	138	109 (3) The selection of products, potential gateways to other platforms, and scheduling of
139	139	110screen time is carefully considered to prevent physical, psychological, social, cultural, and
140	140	111neurological adverse consequences, including digital addiction; 7 of 20
141	141	112 (4) Other than exceptions listed in subsection (f), courses and school activities revolving
142	142	113around prolonged screen time are limited to students in grades 8 to 12, with no more than 90
143	143	114minutes of screen time daily through grade 9 and 120 minutes of screen time daily through grade
144	144	11512.
145	145	116 (5) Other than exceptions listed in subsection (f), children or students below grade eight
146	146	117are not to exceed more than 5 hours of passive screen time in a month; to have no interactive
147	147	118screen time below grade four; and from grade four through seven are not to exceed more than 1
148	148	119hour of interactive screen time weekly.
149	149	120 (5) Students under age 16 are not to use virtual reality technology.
150	150	121 (6) Students age 16 and above are not to use to virtual reality technology without an
151	151	122explicit opt-in form, explicit verbal warnings of potential negative effects, and, unless clear
152	152	123scientific evidence proves safety for both mental and physical development, must limit time
153	153	124spent in virtual reality to a maximum of 1 hour in a year expressly tied to a specific educational
154	154	125purpose other than entertainment.
155	155	126 (8) Courses or school activities that revolve around extensive screen time are voluntary,
156	156	127and screen time requirements in those activities highly relevant to the subject matter of the
157	157	128course or school activity.
158	158	129 (9) Traditional forms of instruction and learning which do not use screen time are
159	159	130preferred whenever desired by the educator or when these accomplish the task as well or
160	160	131approximately as well. 8 of 20
161	161	132 (10) Technology implementation and use follows the best practices for health, safety, and
162	162	133confidential data protection, and closes any intentional or unintentional gateway to products or
163	163	134services with adverse impacts, such as from, but not limited to, persuasive design, distracting
164	164	135entertainment, and data profiling.
165	165	136 (11) Use of digital technology or screen time is carefully designed by the school, teacher,
166	166	137and support staff to insure procedures are in place, including data processing agreements, to help
167	167	138protect confidential data and, when the purpose is fulfilled, destroy the confidential data.
168	168	139 (12) If the screen time involves voice or video recording, the careful consideration of
169	169	140whether students or educators must be heard or visible on the screen, and whether video and
170	170	141sound recordings can be avoided and still fulfill the educational purpose.
171	171	142 (13) Compliance with all confidential data protection requirements at the local, state, and
172	172	143federal level.
173	173	144 (d) Public hearing decision. Except as defined in section (f), the authority must provide
174	174	145for a public hearing during annual reviews and before setting any new screen time limits.
175	175	146 For the public hearing, each authority shall publish a public notice and shall additionally
176	176	147inform all students, guardians, and school personnel of the hearing and commenting procedures
177	177	148using standard protocols used by the school or school district. These notices shall provide an
178	178	149electronic and postal address for written submissions; hearing time, date, and location; and that
179	179	150any party with a financial interest in promoting cellphone use or screen time is to self-identify by
180	180	151including the name of any relevant business and any product in conjunction with his or her name
181	181	152and accompanying statement of financial interest. The public hearing shall be set at time
182	182	153convenient to most school personnel, students, and guardians. 9 of 20
183	183	154 School teachers and school departments shall be provided time in school to meet as
184	184	155departments and as a school at least three weeks in advance of the hearing in order to review and
185	185	156discuss the proposed screen time and cellphone limits, principles, and consider recommendations
186	186	157for submission of public comments to the authority.
187	187	158 The hearing and all written comments, including the names of the testifiers, submitted
188	188	159shall be subject to the Open Meeting Law and written comments shall be available to the public
189	189	160for a reasonable sliding-scale fee or freely available for review – however, one exception to this
190	190	161rule shall be that any student, guardian, or teacher request based on personal needs shall not
191	191	162require or allow exposure of the name of the testifier unless desired by the testifier and, if
192	192	163relevant, his or her guardian.
193	193	164 Following the hearing and within eight weeks, the authority shall finalize and vote on the
194	194	165cellphone and screen time limits by a vote of the majority members of the authority and shall
195	195	166prepare a public statement of its decision.
196	196	167 The public statement must state :
197	197	168 (1) all requests for additional screen time or cellphones by parties outside of the school
198	198	169system, excepting requests exempted under subsection (f) or (j), including for potential future
199	199	170attendance;
200	200	171 (2) for each request for additional screen time, the relevant names of any school district
201	201	172or school staff who made the request, excepting requests exempted by subsection (f) or (j);
202	202	173 (3) a clearly marked list of all individuals with a financial interest due to business or to
203	203	174potential product sales that request increased screen time; 10 of 20
204	204	175 (4) the factual reasoning for the decisions based on the principles in subsection (c);
205	205	176 (5) how the individuals of the authority voted;
206	206	177 (6) optionally, a statement of reasons for dissent prepared by any individual(s) in the
207	207	178authority.
208	208	179 (e) Proposed screen time and cellphone limits. Proposed screen time restrictions are
209	209	180provided according to grade level as follows:
210	210	181 (1) Pre-K through kindergarten screen time: maximum of 4 hours, none of which may be
211	211	182interactive;
212	212	183 (2) First through second grade: maximum 5 hours per school year, none of which may be
213	213	184interactive;
214	214	185 (3) Grade three through seven passive screen time: maximum of one hour a day and 5
215	215	186hours total in the school year;
216	216	187 (4) Grade three interactive screen time: none;
217	217	188 (4) Grade four through seven interactive screen time: maximum of 20 minutes a day and
218	218	189a maximum of 3.5 hours total in the school year;
219	219	190 (5) Grade 8 through 10 passive screen time: maximum of one hour a day and 25 hours
220	220	191total in the school year;
221	221	192 (6) Grade eight interactive screen time: maximum of one hour a day and 5 hours total in
222	222	193the school year. 11 of 20
223	223	194 (7) Grade nine through ten interactive screen time: maximum of one hour daily and 10
224	224	195hours total in the school year.
225	225	196 (8) Grade 11 through 12 passive screen time: maximum of one hour a day and 35 hours
226	226	197total in the school year;
227	227	198 (9) Grade eleven through twelve interactive screen time: maximum of one hour daily and
228	228	19930 hours total in the school year.
229	229	200 (10) All grades are to leave cellphones at home or in airplane mode at school in furnished
230	230	201lock-boxes, relying on the school telecommunications system for any necessary calls.
231	231	202 (f) Exceptions to screen time limits. With a public hearing, individual or school-wide
232	232	203exceptions may be granted to school screen time limits beginning in the eighth grade for: (1)
233	233	204specialized, optional courses whose subject requires screen time, such as computer
234	234	205programming; and (2) extracurricular activities whose subject requires screen time, such as a
235	235	206computer programming club.
236	236	207 A Commonwealth virtual school shall be excepted from screen time limits insofar as
237	237	208excused by its design as described in section 94 of Chapter 71 Title I of the General Laws.
238	238	209Despite this exception, the virtual school must to the maximum extent use its resources to
239	239	210minimize screen time, where possible and when beneficial to the student, and to meet the
240	240	211expectations of subsections (d) and (c), including reporting.
241	241	212 Some exceptions to screen time limits do not require a public hearing due to private or
242	242	213emergency nature. If an exception is granted to school screen time limits on the basis of a school
243	243	214or public emergency, the authority shall reconvene as soon as the emergency has passed to 12 of 20
244	244	215establish an orderly, swift process to end the temporary extension and return to the limits
245	245	216previously established without the need for a public hearing. If the reason for an exception no
246	246	217longer exists with respect to a private need, the exception granted is ended.
247	247	218 The following exceptions shall be granted with respect to school screen time limits
248	248	219without requiring a public hearing:
249	249	220 (1) when a condition of the student’s individualized education plan, or when a licensed
250	250	221physician determines necessary for health, an exception to school- or district-wide screen time
251	251	222limits shall be granted;
252	252	223 (2) quarantine to prevent transmission of a dangerous disease;
253	253	224 (3) personal condition of a student that prevents student school attendance, such as a
254	254	225personal emergency or suspension from school;
255	255	226 (4) an unexpected school or public disaster obstructing use of classrooms for in-person
256	256	227learning.
257	257	228 (g) Informed consent and opt-outs. Information about school technology shall be made
258	258	229available to school students, guardians, and staff to support the principles in subsection (c) by the
259	259	230authority to the best of its knowledge and ability. The authority shall insure each educator has
260	260	231easy access to a printed list of all software and technologies utilized by the educator, including as
261	261	232specifically connected to each technology product or service, information about the data
262	262	233collected, parties to the data, associated companies, data processing agreements, and any
263	263	234attendant risks provided in the product manual or service contract and any other attendant risks
264	264	235that are known to exist. 13 of 20
265	265	236 The authority shall insure each guardian and student is also provided with a copy of the
266	266	237list as relevant to the student. The delivery of this information to students and guardians may be
267	267	238assigned to classroom teachers.
268	268	239 Given this information, each guardian and student shall be provided with the opportunity
269	269	240to opt out of the use of any specific product or service.
270	270	241 (h) Violations. Each authority shall establish a screen time policy to prevent violations
271	271	242and to deal with students and staff who violate this law that includes consequences to prevent
272	272	243violations. This screen time policy shall include staff professional development on the policy and
273	273	244the hazards of excessive screen time and technology use.
274	274	245 Any outside party, including any co-conspirators, attempting to subvert this law in order
275	275	246to increase the use of any technological product shall be subject to civil charges and a penalty.
276	276	247The party or parties shall pay restitution and return profits, including earnings for lobbying.
277	277	248Additionally each party shall be pay a maximum fine of the earnings the party has available in 15
278	278	249days, based on the preceding year’s earnings, or serve equivalent time in custody or performing
279	279	250charitable service, or both serve the time and pay the fine.
280	280	251 (i) Cellphone limits. The authority shall adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by
281	281	252students of cellphones while the students are the school site or while under the supervision and
282	282	253control of an employee or employees of that school or school district. The authority may also
283	283	254limit use by staff.
284	284	255 (j) Cellphone exceptions. Notwithstanding subsection (i), no person shall be prohibited
285	285	256from possessing or using a cellphone under any of the following circumstances: 14 of 20
286	286	257 (1) In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger.
287	287	258 (2) When a licensed physician and surgeon determines that the possession or use of a
288	288	259cellphone is necessary to the person’s health.
289	289	260 (3) When the possession or use of a cell phone is required in a student’s individualized
290	290	261education program.
291	291	262 (k) End technology mandate across curriculum. The Board, commissioner, and
292	292	263department shall revise state education goals, curriculum frameworks, and evaluation
293	293	264requirements to eliminate any educational mandate for the use of digital technology or of
294	294	265information technology except in extracurricular courses in the subject area, and eliminate
295	295	266requirements and evaluations of the use of digital and information technology across curriculum
296	296	267in all subjects excepting courses in the subject area.
297	297	268 SECTION 3. Section 1I of chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2021
298	298	269Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph after the first paragraph:-
299	299	270 Digital technology use shall be an optional and not a required condition of public school
300	300	271learning. Unless voluntarily enrolling in a technology course, no public school student or legal
301	301	272guardian shall be treated with prejudice or found wanting in an evaluation due to following a
302	302	273principle of restricting or avoiding student digital technology use. A student or school may safely
303	303	274restrict or avoid digital student technology use and still be provided high marks in evaluation
304	304	275based upon other measures. Within reason, however, such a school shall be expected to insure
305	305	276students understand age-appropriate aspects of digital technology use related to safety, health,
306	306	277responsibility, societal impacts, and privacy. 15 of 20
307	307	278 SECTION 4. Section 1I of chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2021
308	308	279Official Edition, is hereby amended striking the phrase “and (d) performance benchmarks and
309	309	280processes for evaluating the effect of district improvement initiatives” and replacing with the
310	310	281following phrase:-
311	311	282 and (d) performance benchmarks and processes for evaluating the effect of district
312	312	283improvement initiatives; performance benchmarks and processes shall include not only academic
313	313	284evaluation, but evaluation of measures to improve environmental health, protect privacy, protect
314	314	285cybersecurity, reduce screen time, encourage academic freedom, reduce student and staff stress,
315	315	286and provide adequately for student recess, social interaction, and intermittent breaks
316	316	287 SECTION 5. Subsection (a) of Section 94 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as
317	317	288appearing in the 2021 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the sentence
318	318	289“''Commonwealth virtual school'', a public school operated by a board of trustees whose teachers
319	319	290primarily teach from a remote location using the internet or other computer-based methods and
320	320	291whose students are not required to be located at the physical premises of the school.” and
321	321	292inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-
322	322	293 ''Commonwealth virtual school'' is a public school operated by a board of trustees whose
323	323	294teachers primarily use distance learning, where the student is not required to be located at the
324	324	295physical premises of the school and instead uses computer-based methods, the internet,
325	325	296telephone, or correspondence by post.
326	326	297 SECTION 6. Section 94 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2021
327	327	298Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:- 16 of 20
328	328	299 (s) In reviewing proposals, conducting certification and re-certification, the board and
329	329	300department shall require virtual schools to adopt pedagogical strategies and curriculum, when
330	330	301possible and appropriate to student ability, which adopt the following policies: (1) reduce the
331	331	302time students spend before digital screens; (2) with remote learning, provide real-time access to
332	332	303the subject-area teacher during school hours or an option clear to the students for reaching
333	333	304subject-area teachers during school hours for help; (3) provide a weekly schedule for students or
334	334	305guardians to access teachers with a phone call or other real-time in-person method comparable
335	335	306to after-school hours at traditional brick-and-mortar schools; (4) routinely include teacher-led
336	336	307virtual lessons in real time, rather than relying exclusively on EdTech programs; (5) utilize and
337	337	308favor curriculum and lessons the teacher has vetted, modified, and chosen or created in
338	338	309coordination with student needs and current events, rather than industrial, mass-produced,
339	339	310programmed, or otherwise scripted curriculum.
340	340	311 SECTION 7. Chapter 15D of Part I Title II of the General Laws is hereby amended by
341	341	312adding the following section: -
342	342	313 (a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words shall have the following
343	343	314meanings:
344	344	315 “Confidential data” is data collected on students or staff and which includes:
345	345	316 (1) standard identifying information:
346	346	317 i. names of staff and students
347	347	318 ii. dates of birth
348	348	319 iii. addresses 17 of 20
349	349	320 iv. grades
350	350	321 v. medical information
351	351	322 vi. exam results
352	352	323 vii. staff development reviews
353	353	324 viii. assessments
354	354	325 ix. other personal identifying information
355	355	326 (2) identifying data such as location-tracking, photographs, and biometric data, which
356	356	327includes unique biological or behavioral identifiers such but not limited to voice audio,
357	357	328fingerprints, gait recognition, and keystroke dynamics.
358	358	329 (3) personal writings or other personal work such as art
359	359	330 (4) political views
360	360	331 (5) socioeconomic data
361	361	332 (6) disciplinary data
362	362	333 (7) similar data or information on other individuals that are not students or staff, but may
363	363	334be referenced in or extracted from student and staff data.
364	364	335 (8) observed and inferred data from the data provided
365	365	336 “Interactive screen time” is time viewing and interacting with or altering a technological
366	366	337or digital screen by typing or otherwise moving the body. 18 of 20
367	367	338 “Screen time” is time viewing a technological or digital screen which includes but is not
368	368	339limited to a television, a smart board, projector, or computer.
369	369	340 “Passive screen time” is time viewing a technological or digital screen in which one only
370	370	341observes and does not interact or alter the screen by typing or otherwise moving the body.
371	371	342 (b) Technology screen, safety and privacy limits. The department of early education and
372	372	343care, the commissioner of early education and care, and the board of early education and care
373	373	344shall limit and circumscribe screen time and digital technology in early education and care for
374	374	345the benefit of staff and children, including but not limited to the following conditions:
375	375	346 (1) Areas where children spend the majority of time shall not have a television, computer
376	376	347monitor, or other screen routinely playing video, including moving images, or video games, to
377	377	348provide for either passive or interactive screen time.
378	378	349 (2) Toys utilized by children in early education and care shall not have the capability for
379	379	350passive or interactive screen time.
380	380	351 (3) Toys utilized in early education and care shall not have the ability to record
381	381	352confidential data.
382	382	353 (4) Passive and interactive screen time shall be prohibited for children under age 4.
383	383	354 (5) Beginning at the age of 4, children may be allowed passive screen time, not
384	384	355interactive screen time however. Passive screen time is not to exceed one of the following
385	385	356choices: (i) one day of each week for 90 minutes; (ii) 20 minutes daily; or (iii) three days for 30
386	386	357minutes. 19 of 20
387	387	358 (6) Promote non-digital social interaction, time outdoors, and free play and prevent use of
388	388	359screen time as a reward.
389	389	360 (7) Children are not to utilize a cellphone or other screen-based digital device as a toy.
390	390	361 (8) Limit and discourage the posting of children’s confidential data on social media,
391	391	362unsecured cellphones, or other non-secure online platforms and if posting first acquire
392	392	363permission from the guardian(s).
393	393	364 (9) Provide that early education certification and re-certification provides relevant
394	394	365education on cybersecurity, privacy, screen time and technology concerns.
395	395	366 (10) Limit and discourage the posting of children’s confidential data on social media,
396	396	367unsecured cellphones, or other non-secure online platforms and if posting first acquire
397	397	368permission from the guardian(s).
398	398	369 (11) Provide that early education certification and re-certification provides relevant
399	399	370technology education on cybersecurity, privacy, cultural and electromagnetic hazards.
400	400	371 (13) Discourage or limit the use of wireless devices, including video and voice devices
401	401	372intended to monitor children.
402	402	373 (14) Regulate screen time to prevent the impact of bright, artificial light from disrupting
403	403	374circadian rhythms and sleep.
404	404	375 (15) Test electric and magnetic fields to insure that the play and rest areas have at
405	405	376minimum an extremely low frequency (ELF) and very low frequency (VLF) magnetic field less
406	406	377than 100 microTesla (100 nT), an ELF and VLF electrical field less than 1 volt per meter (V/m),
407	407	378and insure electrical equipment is kept away from play and rest areas – if stricter limits or 20 of 20
408	408	379policies are recommended by the state or federal government, adopt these stricter limits or
409	409	380policies.
410	410	381 (16) Avoid the use of wireless devices, such as routers or cellphones, and WiFi near or in
411	411	382play or rest areas, or where children spend the majority of time.
412	412	383 (17) Hard wire any necessary digital equipment and verify that wireless transmissions
413	413	384have been and remain halted.
414	414	385 (18) Adopt best practices to protect environmental health with regard to electromagnetic
415	415	386and chemical emissions from electric equipment and digital technology.