Pennsylvania advances bell-to-bell phone ban

Pennsylvania is moving closer to a statewide “bell-to-bell” school phone ban, with Senate Bill 1014 now pending in the House after passing the Senate earlier this year. The measure would require school entities to adopt or amend policies barring student use of mobile devices during the school day while on school property by the start of the 2027-28 school year. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Devlin Robinson of Allegheny County, has said parents and teachers have told him they are “getting fed up” with phones in schools. Public support for classroom restrictions has also risen nationally, according to Pew Research Center data. ### What would Pennsylvania schools actually have to do? Senate Bill 1014 would require each school entity to put in place a policy prohibiting student use of mobile devices during the school day on school property. The fiscal note says schools would have until the start of the 2027-28 school year to adopt or amend those policies. The bill also requires the policy to explain how student possession of devices would be restricted and what enforcement and oversight steps schools would use. (legis.state.pa.us) The legislation also says parents and legal guardians must receive written notice explaining how to contact their child during the school day, including a staffed phone number or email contact. If a district’s policy allows an employee to take possession of a device, the bill says the school entity or employee would not be liable for loss, theft or damage if the employee acted in good faith under the policy. (legis.state.pa.us) ### Which students or situations would be exempt? The bill text includes several exceptions. The fiscal note says students with documented medical conditions could keep access, as could students whose individualized education program or Section 504 service agreement requires a mobile device. English language learners could use a device for translation, and teachers could authorize use for instructional purposes with building-principal approval. (legis.state.pa.us) The measure also allows a chief school administrator to approve additional exceptions of up to one school day at a building principal’s request. Before adopting or changing a policy, schools would have to provide an opportunity for public comment from students, parents, guardians and employees, and then post the policy publicly online within five days of adoption. (legis.state.pa.us) ### How far has the bill gotten in Harrisburg? The Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 1014 on February 3, 2026, and the bill later moved to the House for consideration, according to legislative tracking and contemporaneous reporting. The official bill page lists Sen. Devlin Robinson as prime sponsor and shows the measure as an amendment to the Public School Code of 1949 creating a bell-to-bell mobile device policy section. (legis.state.pa.us) Reporting published on May 23 said the bill was still awaiting House approval. Separate legislative tracking indicates it was re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee on May 6, 2026, after House movement. ### How broad is public support for phone bans? Pew Research Center reported on July 16, 2025, that 74% of U.S. adults support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class, up from 68% the previous fall. (palegis.us) The survey of 5,023 adults found 44% supported banning student cellphone use for the entire school day, while 46% opposed that broader step. (lewistownsentinel.com) The same Pew survey found support for classroom bans crossed party lines, with 78% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents and 71% of Democrats and Democratic leaners in favor. That aligns with Pennsylvania reporting describing support for the bill as bipartisan. ### Is Pennsylvania part of a wider policy push? (pewresearch.org) England’s policy debate has moved in the same direction. A House of Commons Library briefing published on May 12 said Section 36 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 gives official guidance on school mobile-phone policies the force of law starting June 29, 2026. That guidance says schools should be mobile phone-free by default during lessons, breaks and lunchtime, with exceptions where needed. (pewresearch.org) In Pennsylvania, the next formal step is House action on SB 1014. If enacted, schools would need compliant policies in place by the start of the 2027-28 academic year, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee fiscal note. (legis.state.pa.us) (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)