Bill > HB1316

This bill requires the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine to develop a comprehensive youth-centric technology and social media resource guide by the 2027-2028 school year. The guide will provide age-appropriate information about technology products and platforms frequently used by children, including social media, online games, artificial intelligence products, communication platforms, e-commerce platforms, smartphones, and laptops. The purpose is to help students, parents, and guardians understand how these technologies can be used and misused, and to promote safe and informed decision-making. The Center will first conduct a needs assessment by September 1, 2026, reviewing existing resources and identifying gaps in education about technology's impact on youth mental health. The guide will include a detailed landscape review of specific products and services, examining their functions, privacy concerns, potential addictive qualities, accessibility, and potential emotional, psychological, and academic impacts. The guide must be written in plain English, posted on state and county websites, distributed to public schools and parent-teacher organizations, and made available in translated versions upon request. The Governor is required to include $100,000 in funding for fiscal year 2027 and $125,000 for fiscal years 2028 and 2029, with the Center required to submit an annual report on fund expenditure. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1316?ys=2025RS