The bill amends Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws by introducing a new section, 16-21-43, which requires each public school to establish a policy regarding the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities. The policy aims to reduce distractions, maintain a learning-focused environment, and protect the privacy and safety of students and staff. Schools must notify parents or guardians of the policy, which must include a prohibition on student access to personal electronic devices during the school day, as defined by the Department of Education and the Commission of Elementary and Secondary Education, with specific exceptions for assistive technology necessary for compliance with individualized student 504 plans, individualized education plans (IEP), medical needs such as glucose monitoring, and support for emergent multilingual learners (MLL). Students granted exceptions must not be segregated from their peers, and exceptions are also permitted in emergencies.

The policy and any standards and rules enforcing it shall be prescribed by the school committee in conjunction with the superintendent or the board of trustees of a charter school, in consultation with any collective bargaining agents representing school staff. The policy must be enforced consistently by school administration and should minimize potential conflicts among students, parents, educators, and staff. Additionally, no school official, employee, or agent of the school may search the contents of any personal electronic device retained by the school during school hours unless it is in a locked pouch or container.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is responsible for providing guidance and recommendations to assist schools in developing and implementing effective policies regarding the use of personal electronic devices, which must be publicly available on the department's website. This guidance shall be reviewed annually and updated to reflect applicable research and best practices. Each school district and charter school is required to file its personal electronic device use policy with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in a manner prescribed by the department. This act is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.