MD School Cellphone Ban Advances In Legislature

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A statewide measure that would ban students from using their electronic devices during school hours has advanced in the Maryland General Assembly.

Sponsored by Del. Adrian Boafo, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act cleared the House of Delegates Monday with a 135-1 vote.

Del. Robin Grammer Jr., who represents Baltimore County's 6th District, was the only lawmaker to oppose the measure.

Grammer told Patch that he believes the legislation "will likely hurt innocent students" and do "very little" to rein in "disruptors."

The measure would require that all Maryland students store their electronic devices — cellphones, laptops, smart watches — for the entire school day, including during class transitions or lunch periods.

However, exceptions could be made on a case-by-case basis for individualized education programs, health care situations, emergencies, or school-issued devices.

School administrators would also be allowed to make allowances for specific class uses.

If passed by the upper chamber and signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore, the cellphone ban would require Maryland counties to implement policies in line with the bill for the 2027-2028 school year.

An identical piece of legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate chamber last week.

Many school districts in the Old Line State already have policies in place that restrict the use of electronic devices during the school day. In fact, many have spoken out against the legislation.

Ahead of the Senate's passage of its version of the bill, Anne Arundel County Public Schools said it opposed such legislation because it "would infringe upon local control of educational policy."

"Local governance of boards of education is essential to a comprehensive system of public education," reads the school district's March 4 statement.

"Retaining local board authority allows for collaboration and cooperative planning within the local community rather than through top-down decisions from the State."

However, the Maryland State Education Association, the union representing teachers and school employees, threw its support behind lawmakers' efforts.

Due to its similarity to the Senate-passed measure, it is expected the MPFSA legislation will be approved without issue.