Bill > S3679

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a one-year pilot program in DOE to assess the academic and mental health benefits associated with the use of lockable cell phone pouches in grades six through 12. Under the bill, a school district that wishes to participate in the pilot program is required to submit an application to the commissioner that is to include: (1) the number of middle schools and high schools in the district; (2) the number of students enrolled in each middle school and high school in the district; and (3) a proposal outlining the district's program implementation plan, including the number of schools in which the district will use the lockable cell phone pouches and the method by which the district will notify the parent or guardian of a student in the event of an emergency. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to select two districts in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State to participate in the pilot program and to seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State. The bill permits the commissioner to select a school district that is currently implementing a program that utilizes lockable cell phone pouches in schools of the district to participate in the pilot program, provided the district is not receiving any other grant to support the use of lockable cell phone pouches in schools. Under the bill, the commissioner is to provide pilot districts with guidance regarding the use of lockable cell phone pouches in schools, including training on how the lockable cell phone pouches work. The bill directs the commissioner to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature no later than 120 days following the conclusion of the pilot program that evaluates the effectiveness of the pilot program in improving academic success and mental health outcomes of students in middle school and high school and provides recommendations as to continued use of lockable cell phone pouches in schools Finally, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education to effectuate the provisions of the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Kristin Corrado (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 09/30/2024)

Official Document