Bill > S323

This bill requires all school districts in Massachusetts to develop and implement comprehensive policies prohibiting student access to personal electronic devices (defined as smartphones, tablets, gaming devices, and other data-capable electronic equipment) during the school day. School districts must create these policies through a public comment process involving school leaders, educators, families, students, and stakeholders, and submit them to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for approval. The policies must include age-appropriate restrictions, specific procedures for collecting and returning devices, and educational components about potential misuses like cyberbullying, inappropriate content sharing, unauthorized recordings, plagiarism, and unapproved artificial intelligence use. The bill also mandates that DESE issue guidance within six months to help districts draft these policies, with considerations for student safety, parent communication methods, accommodations for students with individualized education plans or disabilities, and the policies' impact on multilingual learners. The new requirements will take effect six months after DESE issues its guidance, ensuring school districts have time to develop and implement compliant policies that create more focused learning environments by minimizing personal electronic device distractions.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S323