HB1114: HB1114 Quality Basic Education Act; allow for students in ninth and tenth grade to complete the high school graduation financial literacy course requirement

26 HB 1114/SCSFA SENATE SUBSTITUTE TO HB 1114 ADOPTED SENATE A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Of ficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education2 Act," so as to provide for content standards for digital literacy instruction; to require students3 in kindergarten through twelfth grade to receive grade level appropriate instruction in digital4 literacy; to require the Department of Education to develop and publish model programs; to5 publish an annual report assessing the reach and impact of online safety education efforts;6 to provide for minimum content standards for financial literacy instruction; to require such7 content standards to address the risks of gambling; to allow for students grades 9 through 128 to complete the high school graduation financial literacy cours e requirement; to require9 students in kindergarten through eighth grade to receive grade level appropriate instruction10 in financial literacy; to prohibit public schools from partnering with or accepting donations11 or utilizing material from indivi duals or entities who operate any gambling enterprise,12 activity, or event; to authorize the Department of Education to provide technical support,13 guidance, and optional instructional resources subject to certain conditions; to amend Part14 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating15 to other educational programs, so as provide for the development and distribution of certain16 instructional materials and resources by the Department of Education in collaboration with17 the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Natural R esources; to provide for18 - 1 - 26 HB 1114/SCSFA related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal co nflicting laws; and for other19 purposes.20 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:21 SECTION 1.22 Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Co de of Georgia Annotated,23 relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is24 amended by revising Code Section 20-2-149, relating to programs for educating students25 regarding online internet safety, as follows:26 "20-2-149.27 (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt grade level appropriate content standards for28 instruction in digital literacy to support digital citizenship competencies through critical29 thinking, responsible technology use, and independent learning across academic subjects30 for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Such content standards shall address, at a31 minimum:32 (1) Online safety and digital citizenship;33 (2) Responsible and effective internet use;34 (3) Evaluation of digital information and sources, including, but not limited to,35 information using or generated by artificial intelligence;36 (4) Digital communication and collaboration;37 (5) Foundational computer and device skills;38 (6) Productivity and organizational tools; and39 (7) Basic data and information management skills.40 (b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year and each school year thereafter, each local41 board of education and other public school governing body shall provide grade level42 appropriate instruction in digital literacy to students in kind ergarten through grade 12. 43 - 2 - 26 HB 1114/SCSFA Such instruction shall be based on the content standards prescr ibed pursuant to44 subsection (a) of this Code section and may utilize the model programs developed by the45 Department of Education pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section. Such instruction46 may be provided within the framework of existing coursework offered by a local school47 system.48 (a)(c)(1) The Department of Education shall develop model programs f or educating49 students regarding digital literacy and online safety while using the internet, taking into50 consideration educational materials on this topic developed by other states as well as any51 other materials suggested by education experts, child psycholog ists, and technology52 companies that promote child digital literacy and online safety issues.53 (2) The model programs provided for in this subsection shall include one or more model54 programs for students in grades six through kindergarten through grade 12 which:55 (A) Shall include instruction regarding:56 (i) The social, emotional, and physical effects of social media on users;57 (ii) The effects of social media on the mental health of users, particularly teenagers;58 (iii) The distribution of disinformation and misinformation on social media;59 (iv) How social media influences thoughts and behaviors;60 (v) The permanency and risks of sharing materials online;61 (vi) The dangers of viewing material harmful to minors;62 (vii) Age verification procedures on websites and social media;63 (viii) Responsible and discerning use of artificial intelligence and generative artificial64 intelligence;65 (ix) How to maintain personal security and identify cyberbullying, predatory66 behavior, and human trafficking on the internet and social media; and67 (vii)(x) How to report suspicious behavior encountered on the internet and social68 media to appropriate persons and authorities; and69 (xi) How to be a competent and discerning digital citizen; and70 - 3 - 26 HB 1114/SCSFA (B) May include information regarding the benefits of social m edia use, such as71 supporting career readiness for future academic or employment opportunities, sharing72 information with familiar family and friends, and safely connec ting with other users73 with similar interests.74 (3) The Department of Education shall periodically update the model programs provided75 for in this subsection to reflect changes in internet and socia l media use, emergent76 technologies, social and psychological research, and information concerning new threats77 to teenagers and young adults using social media platforms and other online78 communication technologies.79 (4) The Department of Education shall publish on its website information relating to the80 digital literacy content standards and digital literacy and online safety model programs81 provided for in this Code section, including recommended curric ula and instructional82 materials as updated periodically as provided in this subsectio n C o d e s e c t i o n. T h e83 Department of Education shall provide technical assistance in a ddition to such model84 programs and recommended curricula and instructional materials to aid any local board85 of education that may elect to incorporate incorporates one or more components of86 internet and social media digital literacy and online safety into its instructional program.87 (d) By December 1 each year, the Department of Education shall prepare a report88 assessing the reach and impact of online safety education efforts provided for in this Code89 section. Such report shall be submitted to the chairpersons of the House Committee on90 Education and the Senate Education and Youth Committee.91 (b)(e) Each local board of education may incorporate into its instru ctional program a92 component on online internet safety, including social media safety, to be taught on a93 schedule as determined by the local board of education."94 - 4 - 26 HB 1114/SCSFA SECTION 2.95 Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 20-2-149. 4, relating to financial96 literacy instruction and curriculum, as follows:97 "20-2-149.4.98 (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt grade level appropriate content standards for99 a minimum course of instruction in financial literacy to be completed by students in100 eleventh or twelfth grade. Such content standards shall address, at a minimum:101 (1) For grades nine through 12:102 (A) Personal budgeting and money management;103 (B) Banking, credit, and debt;104 (C) Saving and investing principles;105 (D) Risk assessment and long-term financial planning;106 (E) Digital finance, fraud prevention, and consumer protection; and107 (F) Risks associated with gambling, including:108 (i) Probability, odds, and the concept of house advantage;109 (ii) The distinction between investing and gambling;110 (iii) Psychological and behavioral risks, including addiction and loss-chasing;111 (iv) Financial consequences such as debt, credit damage, and family impact;112 (v) Evaluation of gambling advertising, endorsements, and risk free claims; and113 (vi) Overview of this state's gambling laws and consumer protections;114 (2) For grades six through eight:115 (A) Budgeting;116 (B) Digital money use; and117 (C) Introductory gambling risk awareness; and118 (3) For kindergarten through grade five:119 (A) Saving and spending; and120 (B) Probability and games of chance versus effort.121 - 5 - 26 HB 1114/SCSFA (b) Beginning in the 2024-2025 2026-2027 school year, each local board of education and122 other public school governing body shall require all students, as a condition of graduation,123 during their eleventh or twelfth grade years to complete at least a half-credit course in124 financial literacy which implements the minimum course of instr uction based on the125 content standards prescribed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Such course126 of instruction shall be completed by students in ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade. 127 Such course of instruction may be provided within the framework of existing coursework128 offered by a local school system, provided that such instruction includes in-depth treatment129 of real-world financial scenarios and gambling risk analysis . Such course of instruction130 shall be eligible to count toward a mathematics, social studies , or elective unit of credit131 requirement for graduation.132 (c) Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, each local board of education and other public133 school governing body shall provide grade level appropriate instruction in financial literacy134 to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Such instruc tion shall be based on the135 content standards prescribed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Such136 instruction may be provided within the framework of existing co ursework offered by a137 local school system.138 (d) No local board of education or other public school governi ng body, local school139 system, or public school shall:140 (1) Partner with any individual or entity who operates any sort of gambling enterprise,141 activity, or event;142 (2) Accept any funding, materials, sponsorships, or other donation from any individual143 or entity who operates any sort of gambling enterprise, activity, or event; or144 (3) Use as part of any instruction promotional materials developed or made available by145 any individual or entity who operates any sort of gambling enterprise, activity, or event.146 (e) The Department of Education shall be authorized to develop and provide technical147 assistance, guidance, and optional instructional resources to l ocal school systems and148 - 6 - 26 HB 1114/SCSFA public schools and professional development resources for educators, provided that no such149 resources or materials are developed or made available by any i ndividual or entity who150 operates any sort of gambling enterprise, activity, or event."151 SECTION 3.152 Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official C ode of Georgia Annotated,153 relating to other educational programs, is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-308, which154 is reserved, as follows:155 "20-2-308.156 (a) No later than January 1, 2028, the Department of Education in collaboration with the157 Department of Public Safety and the Department of Natural Resou rces shall develop158 instructional materials and other resources regarding the safe storage of firearms. Such159 materials and resources shall be made available for use by any local school system or160 public school, private school, or home study program in this state, and shall be published161 on the Department of Education's website.162 (b) No later than July 1, 2028, each local board of education or other public school163 governing body shall distribute the materials and resources set forth in subsection (a) of164 this Code section in printed or electronic format to each paren t or guardian of a student165 enrolled in the local school system or other public school and shall also provide access to166 such materials and resources on such board or other governing body's website. Reserved."167 SECTION 4.168 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026.169 SECTION 5.170 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.171 - 7 -