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.

The policy will allow exceptions for the use of personal devices that provide access to assistive technology necessary for compliance with individualized student 504 plans, individualized education plans (IEPs), medical needs such as glucose monitoring, and support for emergent multilingual learners (MLL) with appropriate language access programs and services. Students granted exceptions shall not be segregated from their peers, and exceptions will also be made in emergencies.

The school committee, in conjunction with the superintendent or the board of trustees of a charter school, will prescribe the policy, which must be enforced consistently by school administration. The policy should minimize potential conflicts among students, parents, educators, and staff. Additionally, no school official, employee, or agent 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, in consultation with the Attorney General's office and the Department of Public Health, will provide guidance and recommendations to assist schools in developing and implementing effective policies regarding personal electronic devices. This guidance will be publicly available on the department's website and reviewed annually. Each school district and charter school must file its personal electronic device use policy with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in a prescribed manner. The act is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.