Bill > AB1644

This bill, intended to address pupil smartphone use, proposes a shift from limiting to prohibiting smartphone use by students during the school day. Currently, schools are required to develop policies by July 1, 2026, to limit or ban smartphone use at school or under staff supervision, with the goal of promoting responsible use. This bill, however, aims to enact subsequent legislation that would impose a "bell-to-bell restriction," meaning a complete ban on smartphone use from the start to the end of the school day, to better support student learning and well-being. The existing law, which would become inoperative on July 1, 2027, and repealed on January 1, 2028, is being replaced by a new requirement for schools to adopt a prohibition policy by July 1, 2027, with the same exceptions for emergencies, teacher permission, medical necessity, or as required by a student's individualized education program. This new policy must be made available to the State Department of Education upon request and is considered a state-mandated local program, meaning the state may need to reimburse local agencies and school districts for any associated costs.

Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1644