Bill > HB78

This bill, known as the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, establishes guidelines for limited screen time for children aged birth to five in licensed child-care facilities, preschools, and public kindergartens, recognizing that early childhood is a critical period for brain development and that excessive screen exposure can negatively impact communication, problem-solving, and social skills. The bill mandates annual training for teachers and staff on these screen time standards, which are to be developed by the Department of Early Childhood Education in collaboration with the Department of Human Resources and the State Board of Education, and will emphasize the importance of play, reading, and caregiver interaction while prohibiting background television and passive screen time. Importantly, no screen time is allowed for children under two years old, and screen time for older children must be age-appropriate, high-quality, and actively supervised, with specific exceptions for individualized education programs, diagnostic tests, and approved virtual learning. The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms for these new regulations, ensuring that facilities and programs comply with the established screen time policies and training requirements.