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HB 404

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND EXTENDED REALITY IN SCHOOLS PILOT PROGRAM.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Frank Cooke and 8 co-sponsors

Delaware's HB 404 creates a pilot program in public schools to test AI and XR tools, evaluating learning benefits, privacy safeguards, equity, and outcomes.

Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 4 NO 1 ABSENT
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Bill Summary · HB 404

Summary of HB 404 (Session 153, Delaware) – Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality in Schools Pilot Program

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends Title 14 of the Delaware Code to establish or modify a pilot program addressing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) technologies in Delaware public schools.
  • Overall aim is to explore, implement, and evaluate the use of AI and XR to enhance teaching, learning, and student outcomes within a controlled pilot framework.

Key provisions and changes

  • Pilot program framework: Establishes a pilot program in public schools to deploy AI and XR tools. The exact scope, duration, and participating districts or schools would be defined in the implementing regulations or subsequent statutory provisions.
  • Goals and objectives: The pilot is designed to assess educational benefits (e.g., personalized learning, accessibility, student engagement), identify challenges (e.g., privacy, safety, equity), and gather data to inform potential broader adoption.
  • Governance and oversight: Likely creates oversight mechanisms—such as a designated state education agency role, advisory groups, or a committee—to monitor implementation, set guidelines, and ensure alignment with state standards and policies.
  • Privacy and security: Provisions typically include safeguards to protect student data, consent considerations, and compliance with existing Delaware student privacy laws and federal law (e.g., FERPA). Data practices would be central to the pilot’s design and evaluation.
  • Equity considerations: Emphasis on ensuring equitable access to AI/XR tools across participating schools, addressing digital divides, professional development for educators, and necessary supports for students with diverse needs.
  • Evaluation and reporting: Mandatory assessment of outcomes, lessons learned, and cost analyses. Regular reporting to the General Assembly or relevant state bodies to inform decision-making about potential scale-up.
  • Funding mechanisms: May authorize use of state funds, grants, or other resources to support procurement, implementation, training, and evaluation. Specific dollar amounts or budgeting details would appear in the bill's text or related fiscal notes.
  • Academic standards alignment: Requirements to ensure AI/XR activities align with Delaware’s educational standards and curricular frameworks, with attention to instructional quality.
  • Pilot duration and renewal: Defines the pilot’s active period and criteria for renewal or expansion, possibly including a sunset provision or milestones for transition to statewide adoption if successful.

Who or what is affected

  • Public schools and districts in Delaware: Direct participants in the AI/XR pilot, including students, teachers, and school leaders.
  • Educators and administrators: Provision of professional development, guidelines, and governance structures to implement AI and XR tools effectively.
  • Students: Access to AI/XR-enabled learning experiences, with a focus on maintaining privacy, safety, and equitable access.
  • State education agencies: Responsible for administration, oversight, data collection, and reporting on the pilot.
  • Stakeholders and vendors: Possible involvement of technology providers and partners supplying AI/XR solutions under the pilot framework.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and assignment: HB 404 was introduced on May 7, 2026, and assigned to the Education Committee in the House. This indicates initial committee-level consideration and potential refinement.
  • Next steps: The bill would move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the House before advancing to the Senate (if applicable) and then to the Governor for signature. Timelines depend on committee action and legislative schedules.
  • Implementation milestones: The final bill would specify start dates for pilot participation, duration, reporting deadlines, and criteria for expansion or termination based on evaluation results.

Notes

  • The summary reflects typical components of an AI/XR school pilot bill and the information available from the bill header. Exact statutory language, defined pilot parameters (e.g., number of schools, metrics, funding amounts), and detailed governance provisions would be found in the bill’s text and accompanying fiscal notes once public.

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

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