Effective Dates: Article 3 (Use and Transfer of Electronic Devices by Students) is effective beginning with the 2023-2024 school year; Article 1 (Short Title), Article 2 (Use of Digital Services by Minors), and Article 4 (Study of Effects of Media on Minors) are effective September 1, 2024.

Article 1 allows this Act to be referred to as the “Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act.”

Article 2 creates Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 509, titled “Use of Digital Services by Minors.” It provides multiple definitions and states the new duties and prohibitions that apply to digital service providers, as well as who these new duties and prohibitions do not apply to. Subchapter C of Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 509, addresses the powers of verified parents with regard to their minor’s use of digital services.

Article 3 amends several sections of Texas Education Code 32 by providing definitions of relevant terms, and directs TEA to adopt standards for permissible electronic devices and software applications used by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools (refer to the link below titled “TEA’s Standards for Permissible Electronic Devices and Software Applications”). Additionally, Texas Education Code 32.104 was amended by expanding the requirements school districts and open-enrollment charter schools must follow before transferring data processing equipment or an electronic device to students (refer again to the link below titled “TEA’s Standards for Permissible Electronic Devices and Software Applications”).