Sponsors (2)
The bill aims to improve classroom focus and student outcomes by restricting in‑school personal device use while creating administrative costs, privacy and rights tradeoffs, and risks of uneven access or safety delays unless exceptions and funding are carefully implemented.
Students will have fewer in‑class distractions, improving attention, instructional time, and learning outcomes that support long‑term workforce readiness.
Reduced smartphone exposure in school could improve some students' mental health by lowering risks linked to anxiety, depression, and self‑harm.
States can provide funding for secure storage and training, helping schools cover upfront costs and easing implementation for districts.
State and local education agencies and schools will face administrative and implementation costs to craft, enforce, and maintain phone‑restriction policies and alternative communication systems.
Restrictions may reduce student autonomy and lead to enforcement disputes between students, parents, and schools, increasing conflict and discipline burdens.
Relying on school officials to relay urgent parent messages or to manage device access could delay communication in true emergencies and create safety concerns.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Requires States to ban student possession/use of personal electronic devices during school hours with limited exceptions and a federal grant program for secure storage.
Introduced April 7, 2025 by Eugene Simon Vindman · Last progress April 7, 2025
Requires State educational agencies to adopt and enforce policies that prohibit students from possessing or using personal electronic devices (including mobile phones and smartwatches) during school hours beginning the first school year after enactment, while allowing limited exceptions for medical needs, disabilities, instructional uses, and other documented situations. Creates a federal grant program for State educational agencies to purchase and maintain secure storage (lockers, lock boxes, signal‑blocking pouches, etc.) and provide related training and infrastructure to support implementation.