Pennsylvania SB 1014: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, providing for bell-to-bell mobile device policy.

Bill Text

HOUSE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1227, 1352, 1421,
1647 PRINTER'S NO. 1697
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1014
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ROBINSON, HUGHES, SANTARSIERO, PENNYCUICK,
HAYWOOD, COLLETT, J. WARD, ARGALL, KANE, FONTANA, COSTA,
STEFANO, BROWN, VOGEL, MALONE, PISCIOTTANO, FLYNN, BOSCOLA,
LANGERHOLC, KEARNEY, MASTRIANO AND DUSH, OCTOBER 10, 2025
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MAY 6, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in student supports, providing for
bell-to-bell phone-free policy.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1314-A. Bell-to-bell phone-free policy.--(a) No
later than the start of the 2027-2028 school year, the governing
body of each school entity shall adopt a policy related to
student possession and use of mobile devices during the school
day while on school property.
(b) (1) Except as provided under subsection (c), consistent
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with the provisions of this section, the governing body of a
school entity shall adopt a policy relating to mobile devices
and shall:
(i) prohibit the use of a mobile device during the school
day while on school property; and
(ii) establish the manner in which a student's possession of
a mobile device is to be restricted during the school day while
on school property.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a
school entity to take possession of a student's mobile device.
If the governing body of a school entity adopts a policy that
permits an employe of a school entity to take possession of a
student's mobile device, the school entity or school employe
shall not be liable for any damaged or lost mobile device if the
school employe acted in good faith to secure the mobile device
in accordance with the school entity's policy.
(3) The policy shall include appropriate enforcement and
oversight provisions to ensure compliance at a school building.
(4) At the beginning of each school year and upon
enrollment, each school entity shall provide written
notification to parents and legal guardians of students enrolled
in the school entity of the methods for a parent or legal
guardian to contact their child during the school day and
information on how to sign up for emergency notifications.
Methods for a parent or legal guardian to contact their child
during the school day may include, but not be limited to, the
school building phone number or an electronic mail address. The
school entity shall ensure that any method of contact provided
to parents and legal guardians under this paragraph is staffed
during the school day.
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(c) A school entity's policy shall include exceptions to
allow limited use of a mobile device during the school day by a
student who:
(1) Requires a mobile device due to a student's medical
condition, documented by a medical provider.
(2) Has an individualized education program or 504 service
agreement in which a mobile device is part of the accommodations
or services provided to the student.
(3) Is an English learner and uses a mobile device for
translation or other English as a second language purposes.
(4) Is instructed to do so by a teacher as an instructional
tool with the approval of a school building principal, provided
that:
(i) a school-issued device is insufficient or unavailable
for the instructional purposes needed by the teacher;
(ii) the principal determines that the use of the mobile
device is necessary for instructional purposes; and
(iii) the approval is for a limited circumstance and
duration and does not permit the use of a mobile device as a
regular part of instruction.
(d) A school entity's policy may allow a chief school
administrator or a designee to approve an exception not
authorized under subsection (c) if the request for the exception
is made by a principal of a school building. The following shall
apply to the requested exception:
(1) The principal must submit a written request for the
exception to the chief school administrator or a designee. The
request shall include the following:
(i) The purpose of the exception.
(ii) The date, time and duration of the exception.
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(iii) A description of to whom the exception shall apply.
(2) The exception requested may not exceed one school day.
(3) The request shall be submitted prior to the school day
on which the exception is to occur.
(4) The c