Gov. Quinn Signs Student Social Networking Law

A new law signed by Gov. Pat Quinn will prohibit schools from requiring parents to give out students' social networking account information.

Quinn signed the measure on Friday. The law sponsored by Democratic state Rep. La Shawn Ford passed by a wide margin in the state Senate, but with a narrower vote in the state House this spring.

It applies to public elementary and high schools, as well as private schools recognized by the State Board of Education. It say they can't request or require a student or prospective student to provide account information for social networking sites unless it is believed a student violated school rules.

It is effective Jan. 1.