Bill > HR4006

This bill requires the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) to establish a policy prohibiting students from using cellular phones and other potentially distracting electronic devices during regular school hours in DODEA schools. The policy must provide school administrators some flexibility in enforcement and include procedures for emergency communication between parents and children. The bill allows specific exceptions for device use, such as in emergency situations, for students with medical conditions or disabilities, for English learners needing language assistance, and during non-school hours like extracurricular activities. The Director must consult with DODEA academic officers and school advisory committees when developing the policy, which must be implemented within 180 days of enactment. The bill authorizes $1,207,500 in fiscal year 2026 to support implementation, including potentially purchasing lockboxes for device storage. Additionally, the Director must submit annual reports to Congressional armed services committees for five years, detailing policy implementation, costs, and its effects on student performance, mental health, and retention. The bill defines "covered electronic devices" broadly to include smartphones and other potentially distracting personal electronics, with the Director having discretion to specify which devices are prohibited.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4006/all-info