SB443 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Roger Bedford, Jr.Cam WardGerald H. AllenClay ScofieldMark Slade BlackwellDick Brewbaker

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

High school, students required to complete course in information technology ethics phased in with 9th grade class of 2013-2014 scholastic year, Sec. 16-6B-2 am'd.

Summary

SB443 would require public high school students in Alabama to complete a course in information technology ethics, phased in starting with ninth-graders in the 2013-2014 school year.

What This Bill Does

Requires a new required course in information technology ethics for high school students, to be completed before graduation, phased in beginning with ninth graders in 2013-2014. Amends Section 16-6B-2 to include information technology ethics as part of the required high school curriculum, with content focusing on proper use of electronic devices and moral judgments related to their use. Clarifies that although local funding is involved, the measure is exempt from the usual local expenditure approval requirements under Amendment 621 because it falls under specified exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Public high school students in Alabama would be required to take and pass an information technology ethics course before graduating.
• Local school boards/districts would need to implement and fund the new course, with local expenditures managed by the boards and not requiring a 2/3 vote or prior local government approval under the amendment.

Key Provisions

• Requires every public school high school student to complete an information technology ethics course before graduation, phased in starting with ninth graders in the 2013-2014 scholastic year.
• The course content includes the proper use of telecommunication and data storage devices and covers topics such as moral judgments, right and wrong, and humane vs. inhumane behavior in electronic device use (e.g., computers, cell phones).
• Amends Section 16-6B-2 to insert this course as a required part of the high school curriculum within grades nine through twelve.
• The bill is exempt from requiring local government approval or a 2/3 vote under Amendment 621 because the required expenditure falls under specified exceptions and is to be funded by local school boards.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education