While the North Carolina House focused on its 2025-2027 state budget proposal this week, the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee moved swiftly on Wednesday to advance H959: Protecting Students in a Digital Age, approving an amendment that added requirements for wireless communication policies in public schools. The following day, the Senate Rules and Operations Committee further advanced the bill, which is expected to be heard on the Senate floor next.

As originally introduced, H959 would require local boards of education to (1) adopt an internet safety policy and (2) provide instruction regarding social media and its effects on health. Additionally, the bill prohibits employees of local boards of education from using TikTok for any job related duties.

The approved amendment retains the original provisions but adds language regulating student use of wireless communication devices. These new provisions mirror language in S55: Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices, which would require governing bodies of public school units to adopt policies prohibiting student use of such devices during instructional time, with specific outlined exceptions.

While S55 successfully passed the crossover deadline, it currently awaits further action in the House, which has also introduced its own, less-stringent version of legislation addressing student cell phone use.

If enacted, the requirements outlined in H959 would take effect beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.