Bill

Bill > SB23


NM SB23

NM SB23
Exceptions To Student Use Of Phones


summary

Introduced
02/04/2026
In Committee
02/15/2026
Crossed Over
02/15/2026
Passed
Dead
02/19/2026

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF AND EXCEPTIONS TO THE MANDATORY POLICY IMPLEMENTED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL REGARDING STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES; REQUIRING THE PROHIBITION OF STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY; AMENDING THE EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND TO ALLOW GRANTS TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL THAT IMPLEMENTS A POLICY PROHIBITING STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY; INCLUDING A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY PROHIBITING STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES AS PART OF THE CRITERIA FOR EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that public schools in New Mexico must prohibit students from using wireless communication devices, which are defined broadly to include smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, and cameras, during the school day, though reasonable exceptions are allowed for emergencies, health care management, or with prior administrator or teacher consent for educational purposes like recording or photography. The bill also amends the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund to allow grants to school districts and charter schools that implement this policy prohibiting student phone use during the school day, and makes the implementation of such a policy a criterion for receiving these education technology infrastructure grants, with specific timelines for when these new rules will apply to different grade levels, starting with middle school in the 2026-2027 school year and eventually encompassing all grades by 2028-2029.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Action Postponed Indefinitely (on 02/16/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...