The House Committee on Education offers the following substitute to HB 1269:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education
Act," so as to provide for content standards for digital literacy instruction; to require students
in kindergarten through twelfth grade to receive grade level appropriate instruction in digital
literacy; to require the Department of Education to develop and publish model programs; to
publish an annual report assessing the reach and impact of online safety education efforts;
to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is
amended by revising Code Section 20-2-149, relating to programs for educating students
regarding online internet safety, as follows:
"20-2-149.
<ins>(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt grade level appropriate content standards for
instruction in digital literacy to support digital citizenship competencies through critical
thinking, responsible technology use, and independent learning across academic subjects
for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Such content standards shall address, at a
minimum:
(1) Online safety and digital citizenship;
(2) Responsible and effective internet use;
(3) Evaluation of digital information and sources, including, but not limited to,
information using or generated by artificial intelligence;
(4) Digital communication and collaboration;
(5) Foundational computer and device skills;
(6) Productivity and organizational tools; and
(7) Basic data and information management skills.
(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year and each school year thereafter, each local
board of education and other public school governing body shall provide grade level
appropriate instruction in digital literacy to students in kindergarten through grade 12.
Such instruction shall be based on the content standards prescribed pursuant to
subsection (a) of this Code section and may utilize the model programs developed by the
Department of Education pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section. Such instruction
may be provided within the framework of existing coursework offered by a local school
system.
</ins> (a)(c)(1) The Department of Education shall develop model programs for educating
students regarding <ins>digital literacy and</ins> online safety while using the internet, taking into
consideration educational materials on this topic developed by other states as well as any
other materials suggested by education experts, child psychologists, and technology
companies that promote child <ins>digital literacy and</ins> online safety <del>issues.
</del>
(2) The model programs provided for in this subsection shall include one or more model
programs for students in <del>grades six through</del> <ins>kindergarten through grade</ins> 12 which:
(A) Shall include instruction regarding:
(i) The social, emotional, and physical effects of social media on users;
(ii) The effects of social media on the mental health of users, particularly teenagers;
(iii) The distribution of disinformation and misinformation on social media;
(iv) How social media influences thoughts and behaviors;
(v) The permanency and risks of sharing materials online;
(vi) <ins>The dangers of viewing material harmful to minors;
(vii) Age verification procedures on websites and social media;
(viii) Responsible and discerning use of artificial intelligence and generative artificial
intelligence;
(ix)</ins> How to maintain personal security and identify cyberbullying, predatory
behavior, and human trafficking on the internet and social media; <del>and
(vii)(x)</del> How to report suspicious behavior encountered on the internet and social
media to appropriate persons and authorities; and
<ins>(xi) How to be a competent and discerning digital citizen; and
</ins> (B) May include information regarding the benefits of social media use, such as
supporting career readiness for future academic or employment opportunities, sharing
information with familiar family and friends, and safely connecting with other users
with similar interests.
(3) The Department of Education shall periodically update the model programs provided
for in this subsection to reflect changes in internet and social media use, emergent
technologies, social and psychological research, and information concerning new threats
to teenagers and young adults using social media platforms and other online
communication technologies.
(4) The Department of Education shall publish on its website information relating to the
<ins>digital literacy content standards and digital literacy and online safety</ins> model programs
provided for in this Code section, including recommended curricula and instructional
materials as updated periodically as provided in this <del>subsection</del> <ins>Code section.</ins> The
Department of Education shall provide technical assistance in addition to such model
programs and recommended curricula and instructional materials to aid any local board
of education that <del>may elect to incorporate</del> <ins>incorporates</ins> one or more components of
<del>internet and social media</del> <ins>digital literacy and online</ins> safety into its instructional program.
<ins>(d) By December 1 each year, the Department of Education shall prepare a report
assessing the reach and impact of online safety education efforts provided for in this Code
section. Such report shall be submitted to the chairpersons of the House Committee on
Education and the Senate Education and Youth Committee.
</ins> <del>(b)(e)</del> Each local board of education may incorporate into its instructional program a
component on online <del>internet</del> safety, including social media safety, to be taught on a
schedule as determined by the local board of education."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.