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HB 166 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Public K-12 schools, cell phone policy and Internet/social media safety

HB 166 focuses on establishing policies for public K-12 schools regarding cell phone use and internet/social media safety. The bill aims to implement specific procedures and protections designed to prioritize the safety and security of students. It directly affects students and staff within the public education system by setting guidelines for technology use.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes student safety protocols for cell phone/internet use in schools, aligning with protective measures under education85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes school policies for cell phone/internet safety, prioritizing student security through protective procedures and data privacy safeguards in educational technology use.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Signed May 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 2 edits · May 14, 2025
MINOR
The bill was finalized from its engrossed version to the enrolled version, which is the final text sent to the Governor for signature. The substantive policy content remains identical, but the final version includes a minor formatting correction to the bill title, adding the full name of the act (FOCUS Act) and clarifying that it repeals an existing section of the Code of Alabama 1975.
Scope change
No change in scope or applicability; the bill's provisions regarding device bans, internet safety policies, and social media courses remain the same.
TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated in the enrolled version to explicitly include the acronym '(FOCUS) Act' and to clarify that the bill repeals Section 16-1-27 of the Code of Alabama 1975.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the page headers and line numbering to reflect the final enrolled status of the legislation.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Amendments
3
May 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1010
upper
May 7, 2025
Introduced
Elliott 1st Amendment Offered
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 629
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 628
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Sellers 1st Amendment Offered
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 627
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Education Policy 1st Substitute Offered (Education Policy)
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Leigh Hulsey
Leigh Hulsey
RRepublican
AL
15