Bill > HB5205

This bill, known as the West Virginia Balance Act, requires the State Board of Education to develop model policies for the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in public schools, with AI defined as a machine-based system that makes predictions or decisions influencing environments. County school boards must adopt these policies, ensuring instructional technology is designed for educational use, free from distracting features, evidence-based, safe, and not a substitute for direct teaching. The bill also mandates that county boards minimize non-essential "screen-time" (time spent on devices without direct teacher interaction, excluding online student work) and provide parents with access to lists of digital tools, student devices, account credentials, and browsing history upon request. Furthermore, it requires resources for students with "technology-related learning difficulties," meaning persistent struggles learning through technology, and establishes guidelines for an "AI sandbox course," a controlled high school course for students to experiment with AI technologies, emphasizing ethical use and student safety. The State Board will also create a model AI use policy that encourages AI tools to reduce workload, requires educator approval of AI tools, prohibits independent AI grading or high-stakes decisions (like placement or discipline), and ensures students produce original work, with specific grade-level frameworks for technology use and internet access limitations.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5205&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill