State Bill of the Month — August 2024

HB 4414: 

This bill, introduced by Michigan State Rep. Helena Scott (D-7), would create resources, model curricula, and lesson plans concerning digital literacy and cybersafety. The state Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) would produce these materials in consultation with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (DLEO). These resources would be free of charge to the public.   

The bill, which passed the Michigan House of Representatives 279-56 at the end of June, would authorize Michigan’s DTMB to create publicly available materials and information to improve the digital literacy and cybersafety of the public. Representatives from both DTMB and DLEO testified in support of the bill’s passage.  

Background: 

According to NASCIO, cybersecurity has been the top priority for state Chief Information Officers (CIOs) for more than a decade. Cyberattacks and talks about cybersafety are not going anywhere. Recently, a notorious hacking group released most Americans’ Social Security numbers on an online marketplace for stolen user data.  

Since the introduction of HB 4414 in mid-April, there have been cybersecurity incidents that have impacted Michigan hospitals and city governments. A ransomware attack in mid-June disrupted the online and in-person payment systems for residents in Traverse City. Earlier this month, McLaren and Ascension hospitals in Michigan were victims of a cyberattack that disrupted its IT function and phone systems. Legislation encouraging additional cybersecurity education like HB 4414 is a good start to address the problem, but state and local governments across the country are already behind the curve.  

Efforts to educate the public about cybersafety will only grow more intense and become more common. Cybercriminals continue to target sensitive taxpayer information and public data infrastructure. Addressing the problem with funding and educational resources is a great first step. Public awareness of steps they can take to combat the problem are essential, as cyberattacks become increasingly more sophisticated.  

It is for these reasons, among others, that TPA is pleased to make HB 4414, as introduced by State Rep. Helena Scott (D-7), its Bill of the Month for August 2024.