This bill mandates that school districts and chartered public schools establish policies to create a cell phone-free educational environment. Specifically, it amends RSA 189:1-a by adding a new paragraph that requires school boards and trustees to develop a policy that prohibits the use of personal communication devices by students from the start of instructional time until the end of the academic day. The policy must allow for exceptions based on medical needs, disabilities, or language proficiency, as determined by the superintendent or their designee. Additionally, the policy must be developed in collaboration with parents and teachers and reviewed annually.

The bill also specifies that students with medical needs, such as those using insulin pumps or glucose sensors, as well as students with disabilities or those requiring language access support, are exempt from the prohibition on device use. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The fiscal impact of this legislation is indeterminable, as it will vary by district, but it is noted that there will be no immediate local revenue or expenditures associated with the bill in the first few years.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:1-a
As Amended by the Senate: 189:1-a
As Amended by the House: 189:1-a