Bill Summary for H 959 (2025-2026)

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Summary date: 

Jun 24 2025

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
House Bill 959 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 10, 2025
AN ACT TO PROMOTE INTERNET SAFETY, TO REQUIRE SOCIAL MEDIA LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS, TO REQUIRE REGULATION OF STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME, TO ALLOW CERTAIN NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REQUEST RESIDENCY LICENSES FOR TEACHERS, AND TO ALLOW CERTAIN SCHOOLS TO APPLY FOR REACCREDITATION BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION AND TRAINING STANDARDS COMMISSION.
Intro. by Blackwell, K. Hall, Biggs.

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Bill summary

Conference report makes the following changes to the 3rd edition.

Changes the act’s titles.

Section 1

Amends proposed GS 115C-102.10 by no longer requiring the local boards of education polices on student access to the internet on devices or internet services provide by the local school administrative unit to prohibit the use of the TikTok application. Also no longer prohibits employees of local boards of education from using TikTok for any job-related duties.

Requires local boards of education to adopt the required policies by January 1, 2026.

Section 3

Requires governing bodies of public school units to adopt the policies required by new GS 115C-76.100 (regulation of wireless communication devices) by January 1, 2026.

Adds the following new content.

Section 4

Adds and defines the terms individualized education program (IEP), related services, and special education to GS 115C-270.1 (concerning definitions for licensure of elementary and secondary school teachers). Expands the class of persons who may request that a residency teacher’s license be issued under GS 115C-270.20 to include the described nonpublic schools approved to provide special education and related services pursuant to a student’s IEP, along with the already included governing bodies of public school units. Applies to applications for residency licenses occurring on or after the act becomes law.

Section 5

Requires that the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission allow for any school whose accreditation has been suspended for at least four years to apply for reaccreditation after two years of suspension.