Bill Text: HI SB2458 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 2458 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Screen Time Awareness.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-05-11 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Thielen excused (1). [SB2458 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2458-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2458
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SCREEN TIME AWARENESS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a growing body of empirical data and anecdotal evidence suggesting that time spent in front of digital image screens has a negative impact on children's mental health and their ability to form healthy relationships. Neuroscience research shows that social media, video games, and web surfing trigger the same dopamine networks that are triggered by drug use. A growing body of evidence also suggests that excessive digital image screen time may be contributing to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among teenagers.

The average youth in Hawaii is reported to spend three hours a day playing video games, which may impact their attention spans and motivation levels. The excess digital image screen time may adversely affect their academic and professional success. Despite research that demonstrates these adverse effects and despite the fact that managing digital image screen time is a common problem for many parents, the State lacks resources for educating families on the risks of and best practices for limiting excessive digital image screen time.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the behavioral health services administration of the department of health to convene a working group to compile resources to inform and educate the public about the impacts of excessive digital image screen time on the mental health and relationships of children and teenagers.

SECTION 2. (a) The behavioral health services administration of the department of health shall convene a working group to compile resources to inform and educate the public about the impacts of excessive digital image screen time on the mental health and relationships of children and teenagers, including:

(1) Existing research on the effects of excessive digital image screen time on the mental health of children and teens and their ability to form healthy relationships;

(2) Any available national websites that offer evidence-based digital image screen time guidelines based on age group; and

(3) A list of national websites that offer evidenced-based resources and best practices that parents may consult when deciding how to manage their family's digital image screen time and overall health.

(b) The working group shall:

(1) Hold no more than two meetings;

(2) Be dissolved on June 30, 2021; and

(3) Submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOH; Screen Time; Mental Health and Relationships of Children and Teenagers; Working Group

Description:

Requires the behavioral health services administration of the department of health to convene a working group to compile resources to inform and educate the public about the impacts of excessive digital image screen time on the mental health and relationships of children and teenagers and report to the legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.