Bill > HR4005

This bill establishes the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program, which aims to reduce student access to personal electronic devices during school hours. Under this program, State educational agencies can receive federal grants if they implement a policy prohibiting student possession or use of personal electronic devices like mobile phones, smartwatches, and tablets during school hours. The policy must be developed in coordination with local educational agencies, educators, parents, and students, and includes specific exceptions for students with health conditions, disabilities, special needs, or English learners who can demonstrate a legitimate educational need for electronic devices. Grant recipients must use the funds to acquire secure storage methods for personal electronic devices, such as lockable lockers, secure lock boxes, or signal-blocking pouches. The bill defines "school hours" as the period from the start to the end of the instructional day and provides a detailed definition of personal electronic devices, with some exceptions for school-authorized laptops and tablets used solely for academic purposes. The grants will be allocated to states based on their previous federal education funding, with a minimum allocation guarantee for smaller states. Ultimately, the bill seeks to create a more focused and distraction-free learning environment in public schools across the United States.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4005/all-info