H.F. 2900 Summary

• School employees are prohibited from accessing, searching, or compelling students to produce data or content from personal technological devices, even when devices are used in violation of school policy.

• School employees may search a student's personal device only if there is reasonable suspicion of a policy violation documented in advance with student and parent notification, the search is limited to that specific violation, and the device is on campus property.

• Searches related to suspected illegal conduct require a judicial warrant from law enforcement, even if a policy violation is also suspected.

• Emergency access to devices in response to imminent threats to life or safety is permitted, with written notification of the specific threat and accessed data required within 72 hours.

• Violations of these protections result in civil liability for actual damages including mental pain and suffering, reasonable attorney fees, and potential disciplinary action against school employees; evidence obtained in violation is inadmissible in any proceeding.