SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES BETWEEN

STUDENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL

House Bill 4791 (proposed substitute H-2)

Sponsor:  Rep. Adam F. Zemke

Committee:  Education

Complete to 2-17-16

REVISED SUMMARY:

House Bill 4791 would amend the Revised School Code by adding a section requiring that schools adopt and implement a policy regulating social media interactions between students and school personnel no later than the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.  That policy must outline acceptable online, digital, and social media-based communication between pupils and school personnel, and must be posted on the school website. 

This requirement would apply to school districts, intermediate school districts (ISDs), and public school academies (charter schools).  In developing these policies, a school board or board of directors would consult with teachers and principals and notify them in writing of the policy once it is adopted and posted.    

The bill encourages the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to create and provide model policies as guidance for districts in developing their own policies. Further, the MDE is encouraged to consult local districts and other states' policies in developing these model policies, and to review and, if necessary, update the policies annually.

BACKGROUND:

This bill was precipitated by recent news of inappropriate relationships between students and teachers.  The following story indicates that only about half of schools in metro Detroit have policies specifically governing staff-student interaction on social media.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/monday-at-11-teachers-students-sex-social-media

States such as New Jersey have passed legislation requiring school districts to adopt a written policy concerning electronic communications between school employees and students, which would include social media.  This act was approved in 2014.

https://legiscan.com/NJ/text/S441/2014

Please see the following website for more information on crafting school social media policies: https://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/edutopia-anderson-social-media-guidelines.pdf

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4791 would have no impact on the State and a minimal, if any, impact on school districts, public school academies, and intermediate school districts.  The bills could create additional administrative costs by requiring districts, public school academies, and intermediate districts to adopt and implement a policy that outlines the acceptable online, digital and social media-based communication between pupils and school personnel; however, these costs would likely be defrayed through redirection of existing staff time, especially since this will generally require a one-time use of staff time.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jennifer McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.