Mo. Senate passes revision to teacher-Facebook law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri senators have overwhelmingly passed a bill 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Nixon asked that the law be repealed but senators went a step further.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.