BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Children 5 years old and younger in Alabama’s early childhood education programs will face new limits on screen use under legislation that received final passage Thursday.
House Bill 78, sponsored by Rep. Jeana Ross, R-Guntersville, prohibits screen use for children under age 2 and directs state agencies to develop age-appropriate screen time standards for children between 2 and 5 years old, while also requiring training for educators.
Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, sponsored the bill in the Senate.
The measure takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, and local school boards must adopt kindergarten screen time policies no later than the 2027-28 school year.
The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who celebrated passage on social media.
The earliest developmental years for children are critical. I am proud the Alabama Senate gave unanimous, final passage to HB78! The Healthy Early Development & Screen Time Act will greatly help our littlest citizens. Thanks, Sen. Donnie Chesteen & Rep. Jeana Ross! #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/tIsdGuUrlT
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) February 26, 2026
VOICES for Alabama’s Children praised the bill’s passage.
“This thoughtful policy strikes the right balance – making sure technology enhances education without replacing the meaningful, hands-on experiences that are essential to healthy development,” VOICES’ Executive Director Tracye Strichik said in a statement.
The bill requires the Departments of Education, Human Resources and Early Childhood Education to develop age-appropriate screen time standards and training for caregivers and teachers.
The limits apply to licensed day care centers, day care homes, group day care homes and night care facilities as well as preK and kindergarten classrooms that are publicly funded. The limits also must be followed by after-school, extended day and summer programs provided in any of those settings.
The law requires screen use for older children to be age-appropriate and actively supervised. Background television and passive screen time are prohibited.
While penalties for noncompliance differ based on educational setting, a public kindergarten teacher found to repeatedly violate the standards will be considered a violation of the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics. Teachers and caregivers in other settings must receive additional training and if noncompliance continues, a corrective action plan could be issued.
Exceptions from screen time limits are allowed for students using screens as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 or Individualized Health Plan or for required testing and for students enrolled in virtual school programs.
The law follows a broader push by lawmakers to limit screen use in educational settings, including a statewide ban this year on student cell phones during the instructional day in public K-12 schools.