Act 2026-169 · Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act

Sets an early-childhood screen-use framework, including limits, supervised use and prohibitions on passive/background screens.

Screen time

Jurisdiction: Alabama · State / DC
Policy status: Enacted · future start
Implementation phase: Upcoming
Requirement: Required with local discretion
Grades: Public kindergarten; covered pre-K and childcare
Audience: Students
Learning evidence: No instruction requirement established by this record
Instrument: Statute / enacted law

Dates & implementation

Adopted / approved

Mar 4, 2026

Legal start

Jan 1, 2027

Covered programs must implement screen-time policies from January 1, 2027.

A legal effective date can precede school implementation. This record documents policy intent or requirements; it does not independently confirm delivery in every classroom.

Exceptions & instructional scope

IEP, 504 and health plans; required kindergarten diagnostics; approved virtual programs.

Learning connection: Requires annual training on screen standards and alternatives for supervising staff.

Funding & support

Support provision; funding not confirmed

Training duty documented; a dedicated appropriation or district award was not verified.

Read funding source

Evidence & source location

Pages 1–2: effective date, coverage, duties and exceptions.

Act 2026-169 · Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Acthttps://www.children.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/At-a-Glance.pdf ↗Supporting primary sourcehttps://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2026/03/governor-ivey-signs-screen-time-limits-for-early-childhood-education-programs-into-law/ ↗

Dated new policy package; does not establish the jurisdiction’s first restriction. Supporting sources: https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2026/03/governor-ivey-signs-screen-time-limits-for-early-childhood-education-programs-into-law/

Review history

Reviewed against primary evidence

Source availability checked Oct 4, 2026: See audited register. This is separate from verification of the policy claim below.

Source review date recorded in database: 2026-10-04

Imported from the separately audited restriction register; source quality is disclosed in Evidence level. 2026-10-05 — Corrected empty grade-filter metadata using the recorded grade scope and policy summary. A match means at least one provision concerns this band, not that all students face the same restriction. Source verification date unchanged.

Record ID: VERIFIED-AL-2026-ACT169

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