Bill > HB1238

This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish comprehensive regulations for student mobile device usage during school hours. The legislation requires school entities (including school districts, charter schools, and technical schools) to develop and implement a policy that restricts students from possessing or using mobile devices during instructional time within school buildings. The policy must include specific procedures for students to securely store their devices during class and retrieve them afterward, as well as establish communication protocols for students and parents. The bill provides several important exceptions to the mobile device restrictions, such as allowing usage for students who are volunteer emergency responders, have medical needs, have disabilities, are English language learners, or receive specific teacher permission for educational purposes. Schools must adopt these policies in an open meeting, allowing public feedback, and must inform parents, teachers, and students about the policy at the beginning of each school year. The bill defines key terms like "instructional time" (which excludes periods between classes, lunch, and recess) and "mobile device" (personal electronic communication devices not owned by the school). The new regulations will take effect 60 days after passage, giving schools time to develop and implement their specific mobile device policies.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1238