Bill Summary: Media Literacy Act of 2024 (A08891)

• Teachers must complete a minimum of 5 hours of professional development in media literacy education per five-year registration period, and library media specialists must complete 15 hours, counted toward the required 100 hours of continuing education.

• Each school district must employ a certified school library media specialist in every elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high, and senior high school within three years, with staffing levels based on school enrollment ranging from 0.15 to 2+ full-time equivalent positions.

• The Commissioner of Education must appoint a media literacy advisory committee to study and report on media literacy teaching practices, best practices, and recommendations within one year of the act's effective date.

• Professional development in media literacy must incorporate the department's culturally responsive-sustaining framework and be provided by or coordinated with library media specialists in every school district.

• A permanent media literacy advisory committee shall be established starting in the 2024-2025 school year to annually review and amend media literacy policies and procedures, with representation from teachers, school administrators, students, and community experts.