HB1269: HB1269 Quality Basic Education Act; content standards for digital literacy instruction; provide

26 LC 49 2765S 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 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 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Co de of Georgia Annotated,10 relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is11 amended by revising Code Section 20-2-149, relating to programs for educating students12 regarding online internet safety, as follows:13 H. B. 1269 (SUB) - 1 - 26 LC 49 2765S "20-2-149.14 (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt grade level appropriate content standards for15 instruction in digital literacy to support digital citizenship competencies through critical16 thinking, responsible technology use, and independent learning across academic subjects17 for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Such content standards shall address, at a18 minimum:19 (1) Online safety and digital citizenship;20 (2) Responsible and effective internet use;21 (3) Evaluation of digital information and sources, including, but not limited to,22 information using or generated by artificial intelligence;23 (4) Digital communication and collaboration;24 (5) Foundational computer and device skills;25 (6) Productivity and organizational tools; and26 (7) Basic data and information management skills.27 (b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year and each school year thereafter, each local28 board of education and other public school governing body shall provide grade level29 appropriate instruction in digital literacy to students in kind ergarten through grade 12. 30 Such instruction shall be based on the content standards prescr ibed pursuant to31 subsection (a) of this Code section and may utilize the model programs developed by the32 Department of Education pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section. Such instruction33 may be provided within the framework of existing coursework off ered by a local school34 system.35 (a)(c)(1) The Department of Education shall develop model programs f or educating36 students regarding digital literacy and online safety while using the internet, taking into37 consideration educational materials on this topic developed by other states as well as any38 other materials suggested by education experts, child psycholog ists, and technology39 companies that promote child digital literacy and online safety issues.40 H. B. 1269 (SUB) - 2 - 26 LC 49 2765S (2) The model programs provided for in this subsection shall include one or more model41 programs for students in grades six through kindergarten through grade 12 which:42 (A) Shall include instruction regarding:43 (i) The social, emotional, and physical effects of social media on users;44 (ii) The effects of social media on the mental health of users, particularly teenagers;45 (iii) The distribution of disinformation and misinformation on social media;46 (iv) How social media influences thoughts and behaviors;47 (v) The permanency and risks of sharing materials online;48 (vi) The dangers of viewing material harmful to minors;49 (vii) Age verification procedures on websites and social media;50 (viii) Responsible and discerning use of artificial intelligence and generative artificial51 intelligence;52 (ix) How to maintain personal security and identify cyberbullying, p r e d a t o r y53 behavior, and human trafficking on the internet and social media; and54 (vii)(x) How to report suspicious behavior encountered on the internet and social55 media to appropriate persons and authorities; and56 (xi) How to be a competent and discerning digital citizen; and57 (B) May include information regarding the benefits of social m edia use, such as58 supporting career readiness for future academic or employment opportunities, sharing59 information with familiar family and friends, and safely connec ting with other users60 with similar interests.61 (3) The Department of Education shall periodically update the model programs provided62 for in this subsection to reflect changes in internet and socia l media use, emergent63 technologies, social and psychological research, and information concerning new threats64 to teenagers and young adults using social media platforms and other online65 communication technologies.66 H. B. 1269 (SUB) - 3 - 26 LC 49 2765S (4) The Department of Education shall publish on its website information relating to the67 digital literacy content standards and digital literacy and online safety model programs68 provided for in this Code section, including recommended curric ula and instructional69 materials as updated periodically as provided in this subsectio n C o d e s e c t i o n. T h e70 Department of Education shall provide technical assistance in a ddition to such model71 programs and recommended curricula and instructional materials to aid any local board72 of education that may elect to incorporate incorporates one or more components of73 internet and social media digital literacy and online safety into its instructional program.74 (d) By December 1 each year, the Department of Education shall p r e p a r e a r e p o r t75 assessing the reach and impact of online safety education efforts provided for in this Code76 section. Such report shall be submitted to the chairpersons of the House Committee on77 Education and the Senate Education and Youth Committee.78 (b)(e) Each local board of education may incorporate into its instru ctional program a79 component on online internet safety, including social media safety, to be taught on a80 schedule as determined by the local board of education."81 SECTION 2.82 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.83 H. B. 1269 (SUB) - 4 -