Pennsylvania Legislature Passes Statewide School Cell Phone Ban

The Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives have passed Senate Bill 1014, establishing a statewide ban on cell phones and other internet-ready devices in public and private schools. The legislation, which passed the House in a 141-62 bipartisan vote on Monday and the Senate on Wednesday, requires schools to implement bell-to-bell restrictions starting in the 2027-28 school year.

Josh Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania, has indicated he will sign the bill into law. The legislation mandates that schools establish policies to restrict devices such as tablets and smartwatches, though it does not require the confiscation of these items. Individual school districts retain the authority to determine the specific methods for limiting device possession.

The bill includes exceptions for students with medical needs, individualized education plans for English language learners, translation requirements, and teacher-led instructional use. While the Pennsylvania State Education Association supports the measure as a way to improve student mental health and academic performance, some lawmakers expressed concerns. State Representative Scott Barger voted against the bill, arguing that the included exceptions undermine the goal of removing dangerous devices from classrooms.