Bill Text: GA HR1950 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Education, Department of; inform students about dangers of explicit or graphic texts; urge
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-20 - House Committee Favorably Reported [HR1950 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-HR1950-Comm_Sub.html
10 LC
33 3807S
The
House Committee on Education offers the following substitute to HR
1950:
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Georgia Department of Education to implement a strategy for informing
Georgia students about the dangers of sending explicit or graphic texts; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
texts featuring explicit images of minors are illegal under both federal and
Georgia laws prohibiting the distribution and possession of child pornography;
and
WHEREAS,
according to a joint study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and
Unplanned Pregnancy and
CosmoGirl,
20 percent of teenagers have shared nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves
either via text or posting online; and
WHEREAS,
a photo shared between two students can quickly become a viral phenomenon,
because the message can be forwarded easily to the entire school population and
beyond; and
WHEREAS,
students need to be informed of the many dangers of sending explicit texts,
including damage to one's reputation, the inability to take a photo back once it
has been sent, and the legal and criminal implications of sending an explicit
photo to another; and
WHEREAS,
a majority of students in middle and high school own a cell phone, and some
older children in elementary school are given cell phones in order to stay in
touch with their parents; and
WHEREAS,
schools need to warn their students of the dangers of sending explicit texts by
providing educational materials on the issue and holding an age-appropriate
assembly or other forum at the beginning of each school year; and
WHEREAS,
young people are this state's most precious natural resource, and it is
incumbent upon adults to ensure their protection and safety.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body urge the Georgia Department of Education to develop a comprehensive
strategy for educating all students in grades four through 12 on the dangers of
sending texts featuring explicit images by requiring each school to hold an
assembly or other forum appropriate to each school regarding sending texts
featuring explicit images at the start of each school year, including sending
appropriate notice of such programs to parents or guardians of
students.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Georgia Department of Education is urged to adopt a
uniform program regarding education on sending texts featuring explicit images
before the start of the 2010-2011 school year and provide each school district
with the appropriate information.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia
Department of Education.
