H959 - Various Education Changes. (SL 2025-38)

Overview: Section 2 of S.L. 2025‑38 (House Bill 959) requires the standard course of study to include instruction on social media and its effects on health, including social, emotional, and physical effects. Instruction must be provided once during elementary school, once during middle school, and twice during high school. In addition, this instruction must include information on at least the following:

• Negative effects of social media on mental health, including addiction.
• Distribution of misinformation on social media.
• Methods of manipulating behavior using social media.
• The permanency of information shared online.
• How to maintain personal security.
• How to identify cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and human trafficking on the internet.
• How to report suspicious behavior encountered on the internet.
• Personal and interpersonal skills or character education that enhances individual level protective factors and mitigates or reduces risk‑taking or harmful behavior.

This section became effective July 1, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2026‑2027 school year.