bill to teach cyber safety in every grade, every year

The text as introduced · 637 words

90R3706 PRL-D

By: Lalani
H.B. No. 909

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to cyber safety instruction for public school students.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) digital technology has become an essential

component of modern education, communication, employment, and

daily life;

(2) public school students frequently face cyber

security threats, including phishing scams, identity theft,

cyberbullying, online exploitation, privacy risks, misinformation,

and deception enabled by artificial intelligence technology;

(3) cyber safety education promotes responsible

digital citizenship, protects student well-being, and strengthens

workforce readiness; and

(4) public schools should maintain flexibility in

selecting instructional methods that best meet local educational

needs.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 28.0175 to read as follows:

Sec. 28.0175. INSTRUCTION ON CYBER SAFETY. (a) Each school

district and open-enrollment charter school shall annually provide

age-appropriate and grade-appropriate instruction relating to

cyber safety for students enrolled in each grade level in the

district or school. The instruction may include information on:

(1) password creation, multi-factor authentication,

and account security;

(2) methods of protecting personal information while

online and otherwise preventing identify theft;

(3) safe Internet browsing;

(4) methods for recognizing and avoiding phishing and

other online fraud;

(5) preventing and reporting cyberbullying, as

defined by Section 37.0832;

(6) responsible use of social media, artificial

intelligence technology, and online methods of communication;

(7) digital citizenship, as defined by Section 28.002;

(8) the recognition of online misinformation,

including digital media that is manipulated, edited, or otherwise

changed;

(9) safe online video game practices;

(10) digital footprints and online reputation; and

(11) the procedures for reporting suspected cyber

threats or online safety concerns.

(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may

provide the instruction as part of:

(1) an existing course in the required or enrichment

curriculum;

(2) an existing homeroom or advisory period;

(3) a school assembly or presentation;

(4) an online instructional module; or

(5) another method of instruction determined

appropriate by the district or school.

(c) The agency shall develop model instructional materials,

professional development materials, and lesson plans that a school

district or open-enrollment charter school may use to provide the

instruction required under Subsection (a). The model materials and

plans developed under this subsection must:

(1) be appropriate for the age and grade level for

which the resources will be used;

(2) reflect current best practices regarding cyber

safety;

(3) be updated periodically to address emerging

technologies and cyber threats; and

(4) be made available on the agency's Internet website

at no cost to each district and school.

(d) The agency shall make available to each school district

and open-enrollment charter school cyber safety educational

materials that the district or school may provide to the parent of

or person standing in parental relation to each student enrolled in

the district or school to promote safe technology use in the

student's home.

(e) In implementing the instruction required under

Subsection (a), a school district or open-enrollment charter

school:

(1) shall comply with all applicable federal and state

student privacy laws; and

(2) is not required to use a specific software,

application, or artificial intelligence technology.

SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall develop and make

available the model instructional materials, professional

development materials, and lesson plans as required under Section

28.0175(c), Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2027-2028

school year.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2027.