HB584 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeana RossRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public education; screen-based instruction limited in kindergarten through fifth grade, State Board of Education required to adopt standards, Instructional Technology Task Force established

Summary

HB584 establishes standards for screen-based instruction in Alabama and creates a task force to ensure balanced, developmentally appropriate use that supplements rather than replaces direct teaching.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require the State Board of Education to adopt standards for screen-based instruction for kindergarten through twelfth grade; it creates the Instructional Technology Task Force to study research, set grade-band recommendations, and guide virtual delivery with written recommendations due by October 1, 2027 and annual updates through 2030. It sets rules that screen-based instruction must be a supplementary tool, may not replace explicit phonics, handwriting, or teacher-led instruction, and must include breaks and meaningful learning activities while protecting privacy. The bill provides several exemptions (e.g., IEP/504, assessments, teacher uses, emergency remote instruction, CS courses, online/high school/college courses, and some summer programs) and becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, who would use screens as a supplementary tool rather than as the main method of instruction
• Teachers and school staff, who must follow the new standards and integrate screen-based instruction in a way that supports direct instruction
• Local school districts and the State Board of Education, which must adopt policies and ensure compliance with the standards and privacy laws
• Parents and guardians, who can participate in the Task Force and influence policy development

Key Provisions

• Act name and purpose: Alabama Balanced Instruction and Screen Use Act; promotes balanced, developmentally appropriate screen use.
• Section 2 defines screen-based instruction as delivering content primarily through digital devices.
• Section 3 requires the Board to adopt standards for K-12 screen-based instruction that ensure it is developmentally appropriate, supplementary, and does not replace core instructional methods; includes requirements such as breaks, educational value, and privacy compliance.
• Section 4 creates the Instructional Technology Task Force with specified composition, duties, and deadlines (first meeting by 6/1/2026; recommendations by 10/1/2027) and ongoing reviews; the Board must incorporate task force recommendations into the standards.
• Section 5 lists exemptions (IEP/504 assistive tech, required assessments, teacher use for displays, temporary emergency remote instruction, computer science courses, online/high school/college courses, and some summer programs).
• Section 6 sets the act to become effective on October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Apr 2, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education