The original bill, which sailed through the General Assembly with little resistance last year, was meant, in the words of the sponsor, to "close off the most easily accessible access point" where bad actors might connect with children. It's central requirement — mandating that school staff communicate with students only through school-approved applications and email systems — proved complicated in practice.
Sen. Lindsey Tichenor said the new revisions are meant to address the questions that arose after the bill took effect.
"We brought together a lot of ideas and were able to come up with some solutions that I think will meet the needs to make this bill effective but not lose its intent," Sen. Lindsey Tichenor told colleagues Thursday.
Senate Bill 181 expands a number of definitions. Take the term "family member," for example. That's now been broadened to include cousins, blood relatives, relatives by marriage, and adopted family.
As for new exemptions from the rule, Tichenor laid out a series of situations, including "virtual school instruction, electronic translation services, calling or texting a phone number provided by the parent, communications with a parent included as a recipient."
While some lawmakers noted the volume of frustrated calls and communications they received from concerned constituents, the proposed changes were overwhelmingly welcomed in committee and the bill received unanimous support on its way to the full Senate Thursday.