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SD 2285

An Act regulating screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Velis

Creates a statewide framework to cap screen time and cellphone use in K–12 schools while strengthening privacy protections for students and staff.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 2285

Summary: Senate Bill SD 2285 — An Act regulating screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education

Overview

SD 2285 proposes a statewide framework to limit screen time and cellphone use in public Early Education through 12th grade, while strengthening privacy protections around student and staff data. It frames technology as a tool to support education, not a primary driver of instruction, and seeks to promote non-digital learning options when appropriate. The bill also adds a new provision to Chapter 69 of the General Laws establishing the “School screen time and cellphone limits” framework.

Purpose and Findings

  • Recognizes concerns about data collection, profiling, and the influence of persuasive digital design on students.
  • Cites studies and expert commentary regarding potential negative effects of excessive screen time on health and development, and notes the influence of corporate-directed digital content.
  • Sets policy goals to:
    • Treat technology use and screen time as secondary to educational outcomes.
    • Protect student and staff privacy.
    • Eliminate state mandates that require technology use across curricula.
    • Establish basic limits on screen time from early education through high school.
    • Encourage non-digital or less technology-reliant learning alternatives where appropriate.

Key Provisions

New statutory framework (Chapter 69)

  • Definitions (key terms to be used in the new section):

    • “Board” = Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
    • “Commissioner” = Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
    • “Confidential data” = sensitive data about students or staff, including personal identifiers, location data, biometrics, medical, disciplinary, or other information, plus observed/inferred data and personal writings.
    • “Screen time” = time viewing any digital screen (television, smart board, projector, computer, etc.).
    • “Passive screen time” = viewing without interaction.
    • “Interactive screen time” = viewing with active interaction (typing, movement, etc.).
    • “Virtual reality” and “Augmented reality” definitions.
    • “Authority” = the public charter school, virtual school, or school district governing body.

  • School screen time limits:

    • Each public school authority must set and publish limits on overall screen time and cellphone use, differentiating between interactive and passive screen time.
    • The authority must involve input from the local community, staff, students, and guardians.
    • A baseline limit framework is provided in subsection (e); authorities may adopt more stringent or more permissive limits.
    • Limits must be reviewed annually via a public process; an initial review is required at the outset, with subsequent annual reviews.
    • Revisions to existing limits (beyond the baseline) generally require a public hearing.
    • It is unlawful for schools/teachers to allow a student to exceed established limits, subject to definitions in the bill (text beyond the provided excerpt is truncated, so exact exceptions are not visible here).

Note: The text provided is truncated in places; the above reflects the structure and core elements as stated, with additional details likely in the full bill.

Who Is Affected

  • Public school authorities (districts, charter schools, virtual schools) across Massachusetts.
  • School committees and district leadership responsible for policy adoption.
  • Teachers, students, and guardians, who would be bound by published screen time limits and privacy protections.
  • The Massachusetts Board and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (implementation and oversight).

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Legislative actions listed: House concurred on February 27, 2025; referred to the Committee on Education.
  • Senate Docket: SD 2285; Senate Bill No. 463 (as introduced by Velis by request).
  • Context: Part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Shifts in how districts design technology use within curricula, with greater emphasis on privacy and local decision-making.
  • Administrative requirements for publishing, reviewing, and holding hearings on screen time policies; possible costs for policy development, staff training, and parental outreach.
  • Ambiguities remain due to the partial text (e.g., specific baseline limits, defined exceptions, and enforcement mechanisms). Final impact will depend on the enacted language, including any carve-outs for special education, distance learning, or emergency remote instruction.
  • Environmental and health-related arguments are framed as policy rationale, influencing stakeholders’ views on technology deployment in schools.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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