Policy

Proposed legislation approved in the Pennsylvania State Senate would give school districts money for lockable pouches to store student phones if those districts ban cell phone use during the school day.

The Supreme Court’s decision on two cases challenging social media content moderation policies could expand protections for tech platforms under the First Amendment umbrella.

Thirty-six states currently require some form of identification to cast a ballot. That number may rise. In New Hampshire, lawmakers sent a bill to the governor requiring residents prove citizenship to register to vote.

A new rule from the U.S. Department of Justice requires public schools to ensure that any web or app-based content that impacts student opportunities complies with globally recognized accessibility standards by 2027.

The state Legislature’s Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology is considering a bill on “unlawful dissemination of misleading synthetic media.”

The legislation would establish a 13-member Agriculture Innovation Board to distribute grants to farms, agribusinesses and agricultural support services that have plans to implement innovative practices.

Many Bay Area school districts already restrict cellphone use in schools but allow students to use their phones during non-instructional time. Students and staff have mixed opinions on the idea of a statewide policy.

The FCC expects to open the application window for the three-year $200 million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program this fall and urges prospective applicants to start preparing now.

The state has been an early adopter of artificial intelligence, and is now equipping staff with the skills and knowledge they need to leverage AI securely. Training is free and voluntary.

Law enforcement agencies statewide offer data collected via automated license plate readers to federal and out-of-state counterparts. But state Attorney General Rob Bonta has ordered agencies to safeguard that information.

Justices sent back down two challenges to Florida and Texas laws regulating social media platforms. Writing for the court’s majority, Justice Elena Kagan said lower courts had more work to do in laying out the legal issues.

The city has cyber protection in its insurance, but is seeking to expand its coverage. Its finance and IT directors made the request to the city’s finance panel last week. The request heads to the City Council Tuesday.

Several new state laws taking effect in Georgia are focused on school safety, including one requiring schools to teach about the risks of social media and put barriers on school devices to limit access to online content.

Teachers and administrators are finding it increasingly difficult to get students to focus in class, and a district-wide policy for collecting phones would avoid putting the onus on teachers to confront defiant students.

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday signed the legislation that also requires notification to the state attorney general when more than 500 state residents are impacted by a breach.

The state has created a new working group to study and assess artificial intelligence and make policy recommendations for the technology’s use. It will provide a report on its findings by December.

State lawmakers are working to define key terms and address risks as AI gets integrated into everyday life. California state Sen. Thomas Umberg talks about balancing regulation and innovation.

After a seven-month investigation into automated license plate readers, Sacramento County's Grand Jury found the county Sheriff's Office and the Sacramento Police Department improperly shared data with out-of-state agencies.