Bill > S463

This bill aims to regulate screen time and technology privacy in early childhood and K-12 education by establishing comprehensive guidelines for technology use in schools. The legislation proposes significant restrictions on digital technology, setting specific screen time limits for different grade levels, with younger students having the most stringent limitations. For example, pre-K and kindergarten students would be limited to 4 hours of passive screen time per year with no interactive screen time, while high school students would have more lenient limits of up to 35 hours of passive and 30 hours of interactive screen time annually. The bill mandates that school authorities must conduct public hearings to establish screen time policies, prioritize traditional learning methods, and ensure that technology use is educationally beneficial and does not compromise student privacy. Key provisions include protecting confidential student data, requiring informed consent for technology use, establishing exceptions for specific educational needs or emergencies, and encouraging alternatives to digital learning. The legislation also addresses potential health concerns related to screen time, such as impacts on brain development, physical health, and exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, the bill seeks to end technology mandates across school curricula and emphasizes that digital technology should be optional, not a required component of public school learning.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S463