Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateNew MexicoIntroduced
SB 49: SCHOOL-AGE APPROPRIATE FILTERING PROJECT
Thornton, Anthony L.
SB 49 status: Introduced — action postponed indefinitely (updated Mar 24, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
Not enough information
Score:Not enough information
Risk:Low Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 40/100
Constitutionality50%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion50%
Bill summary
What changes
The bill aims to mandate automatic web-content filtering on all computers used in public schools.
Who is affected
K-12 students, school staff, and public school districts in New Mexico.
Requirements and enforcement
Automatic blocking of websites deemed inappropriate for children.
Costs and funding
Not stated in the available source.
When it takes effect
The bill was introduced in the 2026 session and subsequently postponed indefinitely.
Potential benefits
Potential enhancement of digital safety and focus within the classroom environment.
Risks and tradeoffs
Risk of over-blocking research and educational sites, technical failure, and undefined criteria for what constitutes an 'unsafe' website.
What is still unknown
The specific software or criteria to be used for filtering, the costs of implementation, and the appeals process for blocked sites are entirely unknown.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Not enough information
Not enough information to score this sector.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Society
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Protects students from inappropriate online content
- Reinforces standardized internet safety across districts
- Supports a more focused digital learning environment
Risks
- Potential for over-blocking of legitimate educational sites
- Risk of censorship for diverse or controversial viewpoints
- Creates barriers to student-led independent research
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
Not enough information
Not enough information to score this sector.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Public Health & Safety
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Reduces exposure to harmful digital content for minors
- Provides a baseline of digital child safety
- Supports a safer digital environment for learning
Risks
- Risk of blocking access to vital mental health resources
- Ambiguity in defining safety leads to inconsistent protection
- False sense of security for parents and educators
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
The definition of 'not safe' is undefined, creating potential for significant over-blocking of academic content.
Analysis scope
Source text is limited to a brief summary.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
How it affects your district
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06
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