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HB 2845

Relating to Social Media privacy and educational institutions

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kayla Young

House Bill 2845 protects the privacy of West Virginia students and employees by prohibiting schools from requiring social media credentials for enrollment or employment.

To House Education
#education(higher)
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Bill Summary · HB 2845

Summary of House Bill 2845

Bill Number: HB 2845
Title: Relating to Social Media Privacy and Educational Institutions
Status: To House Education
Introduced: February 24, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject: Education (Higher)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 2845 aims to enhance the privacy rights of current and prospective students and employees at institutions of higher education in West Virginia. The bill specifically prohibits these institutions from requiring individuals to disclose their social media account credentials or alter their privacy settings as a condition of enrollment or employment.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces a new article to the Code of West Virginia, specifically §18B-22-1, which includes the following key provisions:

  1. Definitions:

    • Employee: An individual providing services for wages at an institution of higher education.
    • Institution of Higher Education: Any public or private entity offering postsecondary education or training.
    • Social Media Account: A personal account on platforms where users can create and share content.
    • Student: An individual enrolled in an organized course of study at an institution of higher education.

  2. Prohibitions:

    • Institutions cannot require or suggest that current or prospective students or employees disclose their social media usernames or passwords.
    • Institutions cannot condition participation in curricular or extracurricular activities on the addition of employees or volunteers to social media contacts or on changing privacy settings.

  3. Protection Against Retaliation:

    • The bill prohibits institutions from taking adverse actions against individuals for exercising their rights under this article, including threats of discharge, discipline, or penalties related to participation in activities.

  4. Public Information Clause:

    • Institutions are allowed to view publicly available information about current or prospective students or employees on the internet.

  5. Compliance with Laws:

    • The bill does not prevent institutions from complying with federal or state laws and regulations.

Impact

House Bill 2845 is expected to:
- Protect the privacy of students and employees at higher education institutions in West Virginia.
- Prevent institutions from imposing undue pressure on individuals regarding their personal social media accounts.
- Foster a more respectful and secure environment for students and employees by safeguarding their online privacy.

Legislative Timeline

  • February 24, 2025: Bill filed for introduction.
  • February 24, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Education, then to the Judiciary.
  • February 24, 2025: Introduced in the House.

This bill represents a significant step towards ensuring that personal online privacy is respected within the educational context, aligning with broader trends in privacy rights and digital security.

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

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