Bill > SF508

This bill requires school districts and charter schools in Minnesota to adopt a comprehensive cell phone policy by March 15, 2025, with specific restrictions on cell phone and smart watch use for students. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the policy must prohibit cell phones and smart watches entirely for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, and prohibit cell phones and smart watches in classrooms for high school students (grades 9-12). The bill allows exceptions for medical devices, devices included in a student's individualized education program (IEP), and other exceptions at the principal's discretion. Additionally, the bill appropriates funding for two key initiatives: a statewide campaign to educate parents and caregivers about the negative effects of screen overuse on children, and implementation grants for school districts and charter schools to help them develop and enforce their new cell phone policies. The campaign is intended to provide ongoing information from early childhood through 12th grade, and the implementation grants are designed to cover one-time expenses related to policy implementation, excluding ongoing costs like staff salaries.

Education

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0508&ssn=0&y=2025