HB 5143
Relating to Social Media privacy and educational institutions
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill protects the social media privacy of current and prospective students and employees at West Virginia higher education institutions. It prohibits these institutions from requiring access to usernames and passwords, demanding changes to privacy settings, or taking adverse actions against individuals for asserting their privacy rights. The bill also clarifies definitions related to social media and higher education.
Key provisions
- Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring usernames and passwords for social media accounts.
- Prevents institutions from demanding changes to social media privacy settings.
- Outlaws penalties against students or employees for exercising social media privacy rights.
- Defines key terms such as ‘employee,’ ‘institution of higher education,’ and ‘social media account.’
- Clarifies that institutions can still view publicly available information.
- Allows institutions to comply with federal and state laws and regulations.
- Protects students and employees from discrimination based on their social media privacy choices.
- Addresses the relationship between social media privacy and participation in extracurricular activities.
Who is affected
- Students at West Virginia higher education institutions
- Prospective students at West Virginia higher education institutions
- Employees of West Virginia higher education institutions
- Higher education institutions in West Virginia
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours