LANSING, MI – Employees and students could get some help protecting access to their private Twitter, Facebook and other social media accounts through legislation approved by the Michigan House.

A bill approved 108-0 Wednesday generally would prohibit employers from requesting that an employee or job applicant disclose user names, passwords or other information that could give them access to a private social networking account. Educational institutions would face a similar ban related to students and prospective students.

The bill advances to the state Senate.

The bill's sponsor, -- Rep. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton -- has said it's a proposal aimed at keeping up with changing technological times.

Employers could not discipline employees or fail to hire applicants for failing to disclose access information. Schools, universities and other educational institutions similarly could not discipline or fail to admit students for not providing information that could lead to access of the accounts.

A person who was the subject of a violation could sue for damages.

The House-approved bill would not restrict an employer from complying with a duty to screen employees or applicants called for under federal law or by a self-regulatory organization.

There also could be exceptions such as in cases where an account is used for the employer’s business purposes. Employees also could lose protection under the proposal in cases of work-related misconduct.

Email Tim Martin at tmartin4@mlive.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TimMartinMI