Bill Restrains Schools Tracking Social Media Posts

SACRAMENTO (AP) — The state Assembly has unanimously passed a bill restricting how school districts monitor and track students on social media.

Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Los Angeles says limits should be set as more districts monitor cyberbullying. In his district, Glendale Unified School District hired a firm last fall to monitor Facebook and Twitter posts after two students committed suicide.

Gatto's bill, AB1442, mandates school districts to hold public hearings before starting such programs. It requires schools to only collect publicly visible social media posts and requires them to delete data after students graduate or leave the district.

The bill comes as the Legislature tackles online privacy concerns amid increasing data breaches. It heads to the Senate after passing Thursday on a 78-0 vote.