This bill establishes the School Mobile Device Policy Fund in Idaho, aimed at assisting school districts and public charter schools in implementing policies that restrict student access to mobile devices during school hours. The legislation recognizes the negative impact of mobile device usage on student outcomes, including distractions and mental health issues, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide need-based grants to schools for purchasing equipment to store students' phones and related services, contingent upon the adoption of a "bell-to-bell" mobile device policy, which limits device access from the start to the end of the school day, with certain exceptions.

The bill outlines the eligibility criteria for schools to apply for grants, including the requirement to demonstrate financial need and to adopt the specified mobile device policy. It also details the application process, the review of applications by the state board of education, and the collection of data to assess the effectiveness of the policies implemented. Additionally, the bill includes a sunset provision, stating that the provisions will be null and void after July 1, 2028, and declares an emergency for the act to take effect on July 1, 2025.