The Senate passed a bill on Monday that would require the development of a Safety While Accessing Technology (SWAT) education program in elementary and secondary schools.
Senate Bill 466 would require schools to provide instruction on the risks associated with sharing sexually suggestive or sexually explicit materials, the legal and criminal consequences, and other long-term and unforeseen consequences associated with sharing the materials.
The legislation would require the state Board of Education to approve age-appropriate education for grades three through 12 and each county to adopt policies for annual instruction in the SWAT program. The bill also allows parents or guardians to opt their children out of the instruction.
The SWAT program is intended to show students the potential connection between sharing sexually suggestive or sexually explicit materials and the sharing of those materials by others, bullying, cyber bullying, extortion, and human trafficking.
The legislation now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m.
Afternoon Meetings:
Military at 1 p.m. in 208W
Agriculture at 2 p.m. in 208W
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W
Morning Meetings for 2/6:
Gov. Org at 10 a.m. in 208W
Education at 10 a.m. in 451M
