The proposed bill S.21 aims to establish a cell phone-free environment in Vermont's public schools, independent schools, career and technical education centers, and prequalified private prekindergarten programs. It seeks to prohibit the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the school day and restrict schools from communicating with students through social media. The bill includes findings that highlight the support for such policies among educators, the mental health crisis among youth, and the potential benefits of phone-free policies in reducing incidents of bullying and harassment.

To implement this, the bill mandates that each school board or governing body develop and enforce a policy prohibiting student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices from arrival to dismissal. Exceptions are allowed for students with health needs or those requiring devices as part of their individualized education programs. Additionally, the bill prohibits schools from integrating social media into educational activities and requires measures to prevent students from accessing social media on school-issued devices. The effective dates for the findings and the policy implementation are set for July 1, 2025, and December 1, 2025, respectively.