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Missouri Senate revises teacher-Facebook law

Missouri senators have overwhelmingly passed legislation revising a new law that restricts teachers' online conversations with students.
/ Source: The Associated Press

Missouri senators have overwhelmingly passed legislation revising a new law that restricts teachers' online conversations with students.

The legislation would repeal a law barring teachers from using websites that give "exclusive access" to students, such as sending private messages on Facebook. Senators voted 33-0 Wednesday to send the bill to the House.

The Missouri law was placed on hold last month by a judge because of free-speech concerns. Gov. Jay Nixon then added the measure to a special legislative session that began earlier this month.

Nixon asked that the law be repealed but senators went a step further. The new bill would require local school boards to develop policies on communications between employees and students, including those conducted by electronic media.