AK HB285

Creates new law AS 14.03.117 prohibiting education programs and employees from requiring, requesting, or coercing students to disclose social media usernames, passwords, or account access, or from adding themselves to student contact lists or changing privacy settings.

Allows employees who are family members or pre-existing friends of students to request social media access; prohibits discipline or penalties against students who refuse to comply with prohibited requests.

Permits education programs to request specific reported data from students for compliance investigations or unlawful harassment/bullying investigations, and to prohibit social media use during school hours or on school property.

Establishes civil liability for violators, including actual damages, mental pain and suffering, equitable relief, and attorney fees; makes employee violations subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Applies restrictions to schools, school districts, postsecondary institutions, and correspondence programs; requires private schools and postsecondary institutions to adopt policies consistent with the law; takes effect immediately.