88R8778 PRL-D
By: Dean H.B. No. 2790
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to access to social media and social networking websites
on public school campuses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.0232 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.0232. ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETWORKING
WEBSITES PROHIBITED; EXCEPTION. (a) A school district or
open-enrollment charter school shall deploy technology to disable
access to social media and social networking Internet websites on a
digital device connected to an Internet service provided at a
district or school campus, including on a digital device owned by
an employee of the district or school while the device is connected
to a campus Internet service.
(b) The technology deployed by a school district or
open-enrollment charter school under Subsection (a) must provide
for a method by which an employee of the school district or
open-enrollment charter school may access an otherwise restricted
social media or social networking Internet website for an
appropriate administrative or educational purpose.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.