A bill proposing to ban cell phones in Florida schools has moved forward after passing a committee vote on Monday.
Senate Bill 1296, filed by State Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills), aims to establish a pilot program in six Florida school districts that would prohibit students from using cell phones throughout the entire school day.
The proposed legislation would allow students to use cell phones on the bus and before or after school hours while on school grounds.
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The bill does include exceptions to the ban, such as:
- Students with disabilities who require electronic devices for learning.
- Situations involving health reasons, medical emergencies, or natural or man-made disasters.
- Use on school buses, before or after school hours.
- Use during extracurricular activities outside of the school day.
The bill outlines the following key requirements:
The Commissioner of Education will coordinate with six selected school districts (two small, two medium, and two large counties) to implement a policy prohibiting cell phone and personal electronic device use during the entire school day, on school grounds, and during school activities off school grounds during the school day.
The Department of Education will provide a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2026, summarizing the effect of each district policy on student achievement and behavior.
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The report must include a model policy that school districts and charter schools may adopt.
The report and model policy must address the authorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices during the school day by students with disabilities, English Language Learners, for health reasons, during emergencies, on school buses before/after school, and during extracurricular activities.
The report must also include student code of conduct provisions for violations of the policy, addressing issues like illegal behavior, bullying, harassment, cheating, and the capture or display of pictures or videos of students during medical issues or misconduct.
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