SB 1620 Summary

• Requires mental health professionals (psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and physician assistants) to complete a 2-hour continuing education course on technology addiction and pornography addiction by January 1, 2024.

• Mandates warning labels on digital devices sold in Florida stating that excessive use can cause addiction and undesirable psychological effects, and requires age verification systems for websites containing material harmful to minors.

• Limits electronic/digital instructional time to no more than 10 percent for prekindergarten through grade 8 in public and charter schools, and requires schools to notify parents of digital instruction in advance.

• Prohibits students from using personal wireless communications devices during school hours and prohibits posting student images or location information on social media without parental waiver rights.

• Expands the definition of "harmful to minors" to include specific depictions of nudity and sexual content, and requires school districts to discontinue use of materials that violate this definition.

• Adds technology addiction and pornography addiction screening and treatment to the child and adolescent mental health system of care services.