House Bill No. 6923 mandates that local and regional boards of education in Connecticut adopt a policy each school year, starting from the 2025-26 school year, to limit the use of smart devices in schools. This policy must be developed using guidance from the State Department of Education and is in addition to existing regulations that allow school boards to restrict student possession or use of cellular mobile phones. The bill defines "smart devices" as cellular mobile telephones or other portable technology that can connect to the internet, collect and transmit data, and communicate with other devices.

The bill repeals the current Section 10-233j and replaces it with new provisions that require school principals to grant permission for students to possess or use remotely activated paging devices only if a reasonable basis is established. Additionally, it emphasizes that school boards must consider the special needs of parents and students when determining restrictions on cell phone use. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, and the bill is expected to have no fiscal impact on local or regional school districts, as they can implement the new policy using existing resources.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-233j
ED Joint Favorable: 10-233j
File No. 591: 10-233j