Relating to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours, school safety plans, and instruction related to the effects of social media in grades six through eight, and including effective date provisions

This bill relates to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours, school safety plans, and instruction related to the effects of social media in grades six through eight. The bill requires that instruction related to the effects of social media be incorporated into the health curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades six through eight in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. The bill requires the director of the department of education (DE) to consult with the department of health and human services regarding the effects of social media and provide professional development support to teachers to assist such teachers in providing such instruction to students. Commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2025, the bill requires school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies regarding student use of personal electronic devices during school hours. The bill establishes what the policies are to include. The bill requires the director of DE to, on or before May 1, 2025, develop and distribute to schools model policies that, if adopted, would satisfy the school’s responsibilities under these provisions. However, schools may adopt policies that are more stringent than these model policies. The bill defines “personal electronic device” to include electronic communication equipment, mobile phones, smart phones, video game devices, and portable media players. These provisions take effect upon enactment.30 to take into account the policies adopted pursuant to the bill’s provisions and to provide support and guidance to schools regarding how to revise high-quality emergency operations plans so that such plans are consistent with the bill’s provisions. The bill also requires school districts to revise the high-quality emergency operations plans on or before July 1, 2025, so that such plans are consistent with the bill’s provisions. These provisions take effect upon enactment.3.16.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill. This provision takes effect upon enactment.