89R17144 LRM-F     By: Patterson H.B. No. 4994       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study by the Department of State Health Services   regarding the effects of online activity on children.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a)  In this section:                (1)  "Child" means an individual who is younger than 18   years of age.                (2)  "Department" means the Department of State Health   Services.          (b)  The department, in collaboration with the Texas   Education Agency, shall conduct a study to assess the short-term   and long-term effects of online activity on a child's well-being.          (c)  In conducting the study, the department shall:                (1)  define the term "digital well-being" in the   context of children engaging in online activity;                (2)  identify the desired positive outcomes for   children engaging in online activity and develop recommendations   for achieving those positive outcomes;                (3)  identify and examine:                      (A)  the types of online activity that children   engage in that correspond with different digital well-being   outcomes, including an analysis of the content of the online   activity; and                      (B)  recommendations from public and private   institutions for best practices for ensuring children's online   activity is safe and healthy; and                (4)  solicit feedback from children and children's   parents or legal guardians regarding specific harms that children   have experienced as a result of engaging in online activity.          (d)  Not later than December 1, 2027, the department shall   submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the   house of representatives, and the commissioner of the department a   written report that:                (1)  summarizes the results of the study conducted   under this section; and                (2)  includes recommendations for legislative or other   action.          SECTION 2.  This Act expires January 1, 2028.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.