Parents in Alabama are celebrating the passage of HB 78, the “Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act,” which limits the screen time of kids in the state's licensed childcare facilities, public pre-K programs, and kindergarten classrooms. The bill reflects the scientific consensus that too much screen time is an impediment to children's cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development.

After January 1, 2027, when the new law takes effect, parents of young children in state-funded programs can expect that toddlers under the age of two won't have any screen time, and children between the ages of two and five will have very little. Any program that relies on electronic devices such as tablets or computers for instruction, play, or other activities beyond state-mandated limits won't be in compliance.

A parent who notices that their child's daycare facility is allowing kids to watch videos or play games on a tablet or other electronic device, or their kindergarten or pre-K is turning too often to screens for instruction or babysitting, would be right to be concerned. The Education Law Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help. We'll make sure the school understands its legal obligations under HB 78, and escalate the complaint as necessary until the problem is resolved. Call us at (888) 535-3686 or send us a message online and tell us about your case.

What Alabama's HB 78 Will Look Like In Practice

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and other relevant agencies will spend the rest of 2026 developing and codifying the new standards and implementing training programs for administrators, teachers, and staff. The law requires that all publicly-funded early childhood education facilities and schools follow the guidelines the Department provides — schools cannot create and implement their own policies. The Department is also charged with conducting annual trainings for providers, once HB 78 becomes effective, on the legal and appropriate use of screen time in their facilities.

Compliance with HB 78 isn't optional. The law tasks three Alabama agencies with auditing schools to ensure compliance:

• Department of Early Childhood Education
• Department of Human Resources
• State Board of Education

Alabama's multi-agency approach to enforcement ensures there are no loopholes for schools and facilities that fail to comply.

What Alabama's HB 78 Means for Families

For providers, the consequences of non-compliance are obvious: Childcare facilities risk fines or even the loss of their operating license. Schools face administrative actions against them that range in severity. In both cases, the reputational damage could be even more devastating.

For parents, on the other hand, HB 78 promises a richer, stronger educational experience for their children. It also means parents will want to be on their toes in case screens creep back into their kids' classrooms — parents and guardians are going to be the first line of defense in ensuring that providers don't revert to switching on a video every time they run out of ideas.

The LLF National Law Firm's Education Law Team is with you in this effort. If you see any sign that your child's Alabama school isn't limiting screen time in accordance with the new law, call us. We'll make sure the school gets back on track. Send us a message online and tell us about your case, or call us at (888) 535-3686.