Summary

New Jersey SB 2057 (Open States or New Jersey Legislature) prohibits school districts from using any district-provided electronic device, such as a computer, tablet, or phone, to violate a student’s privacy.

Legislative Analysis

SB 2057, the “Anti-Big Brother Act”, requires that a school district or charter school that furnishes a student with a laptop computer, cellular telephone, or other electronic device will provide the student with written or electronic notification that the electronic device may record or collect information on the student’s activity or the student’s use of the device if the electronic device is equipped with a camera, global positioning system, or other feature capable of recording or collecting information on the student’s activity or use of the device.

The notification must also include a statement that the school district or charter school will not use any of these capabilities in a manner that would violate the privacy rights of the student or any individual residing with the student. The parent or guardian of the student must acknowledge receipt of the notification and the school district or charter school must retain the acknowledgement for as long as the student retains the use of the electronic device. A school district or charter school that fails to provide this notification is subject to a fine of $250 per student, per incident. The fine will be paid to the Department of Education and deposited in a fund used to provide laptop or other portable computer equipment to at-risk pupils. The Act will take effect on July 1, 2013.

SB 2057 is a positive development for digital learning because it helps to protect student privacy and raises awareness of acceptable practices for students, parents, schools, and districts.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan | Open States

Approved by Governor Chris Christie on 4/15/2013