Bill to Ban Cellphone Use During School Day Passes PA Senate

PENNSYLVANIA — A bill banning cell phone use during the school day by students was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate this past week.

The bill, co-sponsored by Bucks County Sen. Steve Santarsiero, aims to reduce classroom distractions and address concerns about youth mental health.

The bill proposes a consistent statewide standard where students may not use cellphones from bell-to-bell. It differs from an instructional time ban, which most Pennsylvania schools currently have, by extending the prohibition to include times between classes, lunch, and other free periods.

Research indicates bell-to-bell policies are more effective than instructional time policies.

Santarsiero said the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 1014 is an important step toward creating more focused classrooms.

The bill ensures that districts maintain local control by allowing them flexibility in how they implement and enforce the standard.

Exceptions are included for students with certain medical conditions, those with individualized education plans requiring device use, and English as a second language learners using phones for translation.

Teachers may also use cellphones as instructional tools in limited instances with principal approval, and exceptions can be made for single-day special occasions.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) announced its support for Senate Bill 1014 in October. PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney said the bill will support students' overall well-being and academic achievement.

Kelly Marsh, co-lead of PA Unplugged, stated that families across the Commonwealth want a distraction-free learning environment. She added that removing the constant pull of smartphones gives students back their ability to focus and build connections. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.