Software in Education Amendments

Eliminated the requirement for the State Board to create and enforce a statewide digital privacy agreement for all educational software.

Deleted the mandate that all software must be verified as 'academically effective' before schools can use it.

Removed prohibitions on 'addictive design features' such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and gamification rewards.

Added a requirement for the State Board to conduct a study on software best practices and report findings to the Education Interim Committee upon request.

Stripped away enforcement mechanisms, including parent complaint procedures, vendor penalties, and the ability to terminate contracts for non-compliance.

Changed the effective date and repeal date for the affected code section to align with the new study requirement rather than the implementation of new rules.

The bill was reorganized from a continuous text format into a structured format with numbered sections and clear headers for definitions and duties.

The definition of 'educational software' was clarified to require that the software be both executed under a statewide digital privacy agreement and verified for academic effectiveness.

The deadline for the State Board to create the statewide digital privacy agreement was updated to July 1, 2027.

The provisional period for vendors to offer unverified software was extended to a maximum of 24 months.

New requirements were added for the State Board to maintain a public list of independent evaluators and to audit Local Education Agencies at least once every three years starting in 2029.

The State Board's duties were expanded to include creating a process for parents to submit complaints and ensuring software is not available for use without verification.

The bill explicitly authorizes the State Board to direct a Local Education Agency to terminate a contract with a non-compliant vendor.

Added a new definition for 'Administrative software' to clarify that software used for non-instructional functions is also covered by the privacy agreement.

Modified the definition of 'Academically effective' to remove specific evidence requirements (like peer-reviewed research) and replace them with broader language about supporting student learning and progress.

Updated the House Sponsor name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Doug Fiefia'.

Changed the State Board's duty from conducting a study to immediately creating and enforcing a statewide digital privacy agreement for all software.

Added a requirement for the State Board to create a master list of approved software and conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance.

Added a new requirement for the State Board to create a process for parents to submit complaints regarding software used in public schools.

Added a requirement for vendors to demonstrate that their software is academically effective before being used in schools.

Modified the definition of 'academically effective' to explicitly require peer-reviewed research, evidence of positive learning outcomes, or independent evaluation.

Simplified the definition of 'addictive design feature' by removing the detailed sub-clauses regarding exceptions and consolidating the list of prohibited features.

Eliminated the requirement for the State Board to create a statewide digital privacy agreement and enforce strict data protection rules for educational software.

Removed the mandate for vendors to verify that their software is academically effective before schools can use it.

Deleted the requirement for the State Board to maintain a master list of approved educational software.

Added a requirement for the State Board to conduct a study on software best practices and report findings to the Education Interim Committee upon request.

Changed the effective date and repeal timeline for the affected Utah Code section to July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027, respectively.

Added specific definitions for 'academically effective,' 'active learning,' 'addictive design feature,' 'clickstream data,' and 'contracting entity.'

Required the State Board of Education to create a statewide digital privacy agreement and a master list of approved software for public schools.

Mandated that all educational software must be verified as academically effective and must not use addictive design features like infinite scroll or gamification tied to time spent.

Established requirements for periodic audits to enforce compliance and a process for parents to submit complaints regarding software use.

Changed the bill from a House Amendment to a full Substitute Bill (2nd Sub.) with a new title and structure.

Added requirements to protect behavioral or engagement data and biometric identifiers under student privacy laws.

Added specific prohibitions against algorithmic systems that prioritize student engagement over learning outcomes.

Refined the prohibition on advertising to specifically target content directed at students.

Updated the amendment header to reflect progression from House Committee to House Floor.

Added specific language to prohibit advertising or promotional content directed at students while they are using educational software, expanding the existing prohibition on advertising.

Changed the State Board's duty from merely conducting a study to creating a mandatory statewide digital privacy agreement and enforcing it.

Added a requirement for all software vendors to obtain independent third-party verification proving their software is academically effective before use.

Required school districts to annually notify parents of all software used in their schools, including links to privacy agreements and effectiveness reports.

Established a new enforcement mechanism including periodic audits by the State Board and a formal complaint process for parents.

Introduced specific legal definitions for terms like 'addictive design feature,' 'clickstream data,' and 'academically effective' to regulate software behavior.

Set a specific effective date of July 1, 2026, and included a transition period for existing contracts until 2029.