State phone bans accelerate
Two states moved toward mandatory school-day phone restrictions this week, with Maine requiring a ban by August 1 and Michigan adopting a rule that bans smartphones during class time starting August 2026. (wgme.com) Illinois lawmakers remain active on a separate proposal that would push broader bell-to-bell bans for elementary and middle schools. (capitolnewsillinois.com) These actions reflect a move from debate to enforceable policy rather than optional guidance. (wcsx.com)
Maine and Michigan are turning school phone limits into statewide rules, not district-by-district suggestions. (wgme.com) (michigan.gov) In Maine, Governor Janet Mills signed a supplemental budget that requires every public school district to adopt a policy by August 1, 2026, prohibiting personal electronic devices during the school day. The budget includes about $350,000 for implementation, and the Maine Department of Education and Maine School Management Association are preparing a model policy. (wgme.com) (observer-me.com) In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 495 and House Bill 4141 on February 10, 2026. The law requires districts to create policies that keep phones away during instructional time starting in the 2026-27 school year, with exceptions for emergencies and academic use. (michigan.gov) (michiganpublic.org) The split between the two states is the scope of the ban. Maine’s rule is bell-to-bell, while Michigan’s law sets a statewide floor for class time and leaves districts free to allow phones at lunch, between classes, or to impose stricter full-day limits. (wgme.com) (natlawreview.com) Illinois is still in the legislative stage, but lawmakers are moving a bill that would require school boards to adopt wireless-device policies by the 2026-27 school year. Senate Bill 2427, as described by Capitol News Illinois and the Illinois General Assembly, would set a minimum ban during instructional time and has been discussed more broadly as a bell-to-bell push for younger students. (capitolnewsillinois.com) (my.ilga.gov) That marks a change from last year’s approach in Maine, where state law required districts to have a cellphone policy but let local officials decide how strict it would be. The new budget language replaces that local discretion with a statewide deadline and a statewide standard. (wgme.com) (observer-me.com) Supporters in all three states have tied the bans to classroom focus, student engagement and mental health. Whitmer’s office said the Michigan law was meant to reduce digital distractions during class, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker used his State of the State address in March to renew his call to get phones out of classrooms. (michigan.gov) (nbcchicago.com) The practical fight is over where students put the devices and who enforces the rules. Illinois lawmakers wrote storage guidance into Senate Bill 2427, and Maine is funding implementation as districts prepare for an August deadline. (my.ilga.gov) (observer-me.com) By fall, Maine schools will have to run a full-day ban, Michigan districts will be building class-time restrictions into policy, and Illinois lawmakers will still be deciding how far a statewide mandate should go. (wgme.com) (michigan.gov) (capitolnewsillinois.com)
