Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires all public school districts to adopt cell phone bans by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year in Massachusetts.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Education to provide a model policy to assist schools and districts in implementing a prohibition on the use of personal electronic devices during school (Sec. 1).

• Requires the model policy to include the following (Sec. 1):

• Provisions preventing student use of school issued devices for personal use;

• Options for secure storage of personal electronic devices during the school day; and

• Effective enforcement provisions to ensure compliance with the policy.

• Specifies that the policy must include exemptions for certain academic purposes, emergencies, health, and safety (Sec. 1).

• Requires each public school or school district to adopt a policy by the 2026-2027 school year that does the following (Sec. 2-3):

• Prohibits the use and possession of a personal electronic device by a student during the school day, including during recess, lunch, and between classes;

• Authorizes at least one method of contact between parents or guardians and their students during the school day, including during emergency situations; and

• Includes effective enforcement provisions to ensure compliance with the policy by students.

• Specifies that enforcement of such a policy must ensure equitable discipline, and that discipline may not include expulsion or suspension of a student (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that school policies must include exemptions for educational programs/plans, necessary accommodations, time spent off school grounds travelling between academic opportunities, and for health reasons (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if a school or school district fails to approve a policy by September 1 of a given year, the Department’s model policy must be used until a local policy is approved (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text