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2023 SESSION

23105535D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1575
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Education
on January 30, 2023)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Walker)
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-24.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Internet Safety Advisory Council; powers and duties.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-24.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-24.1. (Effective until July 1, 2024) Internet Safety Advisory Council.

A. The Superintendent shall establish and appoint members to the Internet Safety Advisory Council (the Council) for the purpose of advancing the goal of safe use of media and technology by students and teachers in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth.

B. The membership of the Council shall include at least one (i) teacher; (ii) librarian; (iii) representative of a parent-teacher organization who is a parent of a school-age child; (iv) school administrator; (v) student; and (vi) individual with expertise in Internet safety and such other individuals as the Superintendent deems appropriate, provided that the membership of the Council shall not exceed 12. The Council may collaborate with law-enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, and other nongovernmental organizations with expertise in child online safety issues and human trafficking prevention.

C. The Council shall:

1. Develop and recommend to the Board for adoption, after study and consideration of a variety of sources and perspectives, a model policy for local school boards in the Commonwealth that would enable such school boards to better support the Internet safety of all students and teachers in the local school division;

2. Develop and recommend to the Board for adoption model instructional practices for and instructional content on the safe use of media and technology by students and teachers in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth, including instruction on (i) safe and responsible use of social networking websites, including Internet chat rooms, email, instant messaging, and other modes of electronic communication; (ii) the risks of transmitting personal information on the Internet and the importance of privacy protection; (iii) copyright laws on written materials, photographs, music, and videos posted or shared online; (iv) the importance of establishing open communication with responsible adults about any online communications or activities; and (v) how to recognize, avoid, and report suspicious, potentially dangerous, or illegal online communications or activities, including (a) potential solicitation by sexual predators, (b) unsolicited or deceptive communications, and (c) harassment and cyberbullying; and

3. Design and post on the Department's website a page with links to successful instructional practices, curricula, and other teacher resources used in school divisions within and outside of the Commonwealth for the safe use of media and technology by students and teachers, including resources and assistance programs available for any child or parent who may have encountered online solicitation by sexual predators or other illegal online communications or activities, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline.