CHAPTER 436
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-24.2, relating to school boards; Internet safety education program; Internet Safety Advisory Council established.
[S 905]
Approved March 24, 2025
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-24.2 as follows:
22.1-24.2. Internet Safety Advisory Council.
A. The Superintendent shall establish and appoint members to the Internet Safety Advisory Council (the Council) for the purpose of advancing the goal of safe use of media and technology by students and teachers in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth.
B. The membership of the Council shall include at least one (i) teacher, (ii) librarian, (iii) representative of a parent-teacher organization who is a parent of a school-age child, (iv) school administrator, (v) student, and (vi) individual with expertise in Internet safety and such other individuals as the Superintendent deems appropriate, provided that the membership of the Council shall not exceed 12.
C. The Council shall:
1. Develop, annually review, and update as necessary, after study and consideration of a variety of sources and perspectives, guidelines on model policies and best practices relating to Internet safety for school boards in the Commonwealth that enable such school boards to better support the Internet safety of all students and teachers in the local school division;
2. Develop and submit to the Board recommendations on model instructional practices and best practices for the safe use of media and technology by students and teachers in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth; and
3. Develop, post, and maintain on the Department's website, and update as necessary, a webpage with links to successful instructional practices, curricula, and other teacher resources used in school divisions within and outside of the Commonwealth for the safe use of media and technology by students and teachers that each school division shall consider and may incorporate into its instructional program implemented in accordance with clause (v) of subsection A of 22.1-70.2.
2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2026.
3. That the Internet Safety Advisory Council established by 22.1-24.2 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, shall, for the purpose of maximizing existing resources and avoiding duplicative work in developing the guidelines, recommendations, and webpage relating to Internet safety best practices, model instructional practices, and model policies pursuant to subsection C of 22.1-24.2 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, (i) review and update as necessary the model policy, model instructional practices, and any other instructional materials or resources developed by the Internet Safety Advisory Council established pursuant to Chapter 776 of the Acts of Assembly of 2022 and (ii) use, to the fullest extent possible, such updated model policy, model instructional practices, and other instructional materials or resources to develop such guidelines, recommendations, and webpage. The Internet Safety Advisory Council shall submit to the Board of Education and the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education no later than October 31, 2025, a report on its progress that details its review of updates to such materials set forth in clause (i) and its use of such updated materials in developing the guidelines, recommendations, and webpage relating to Internet safety best practices, model instructional practices, and model policies pursuant to the provisions of this act.