SB 92 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

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

SB 92 aims to regulate technology use and promote online safety for students in public K-12 schools. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the bill prohibits students from using or possessing wireless communication devices during the instructional day on school grounds, with exceptions for educational purposes, emergencies, or as allowed by local policy. It also requires local school boards to adopt internet safety policies for district-owned devices, limiting access to age-inappropriate content and social media. Finally, the State Department of Education must develop a social media safety course, which all students will complete prior to entering eighth grade.

Issues: ✗ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action Apr 17, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Apr 9, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to strengthen restrictions on wireless communication devices in schools while adding new requirements for internet safety policies and social media education. The changes shift the implementation timeline earlier, expand the definition of when devices are prohibited, and add new compliance and reporting requirements for schools.

Scope change

The bill now applies to all public elementary and secondary schools with stricter enforcement and earlier implementation dates compared to the original version.

TIMELINE

Changed the implementation date for wireless device restrictions from the 2026-2027 school year to the 2025-2026 school year, accelerating enforcement by one year.

Changed the deadline for local boards to adopt wireless communication device policies from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2025, requiring earlier policy adoption.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for school staff to complete an annual anonymous survey about wireless device policy compliance, with results submitted to state education officials.

Added a new requirement for principals to ensure consistent policy compliance by school personnel regarding wireless device usage.

Modified the social media safety course requirements to include additional topics about sharing information with family/friends and connecting with users with similar interests.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of instructional day to include class transitions, lunch, and non-instructional times, meaning device restrictions now apply during more school activities.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 596

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Chesteen motion to Table - Adopted Voice Vote

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Elliott 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Chesteen motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 595

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Chesteen 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Chesteen motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 594

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Education Policy 1st Substitute Offered (Education Policy)

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors