US EditionBill Aiming to Limit Phone Use in Pa. Classrooms Has Bipartisan Support
The bill aims to reduce distractions and improve mental health with exceptions for medical needs, joining 28 states with similar restrictions, lawmakers said.
- On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State Senate approved Senate Bill 1014 on a 46-1 vote, sending it to the House for consideration in Harrisburg, Pa.
- Citing research and educator testimony, lawmakers and supporters say the bill aims to reduce distractions, improve performance, and address youth mental health issues, including declines in mental health and academic achievement, Pennycuick said.
- The measure requires school districts to adopt bell-to-bell cellphone policies for public and parochial schools, including homeroom, lunch, and recess, with exceptions for students with IEPs or medical needs and teacher-approved uses.
- Sponsors emphasized bipartisan backing and held a press conference on Feb. 4, 2026, with Devlin Robinson , Sen. Vincent Hughes , and Sen. Steve Santarsiero leading the effort praised by the Pennsylvania State Education Association for supporting 1.7 million public school students.
- If enacted, the law would take effect by the 2027-28 school year and amend the Public School Code of 1949, joining Pennsylvania to 28 states with restrictions including 19 with bell-to-bell bans.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The Tribune-Democrat
The Daily ItemPa. Senate advances plan to enact cellphone ban in public schools
A proposed bell-to-bell ban on students using cellphones at Pennsylvania public schools advanced through the state Senate this week as Gov. Josh Shapiro repeated his challenge that lawmakers put such a bill on his desk to be signed into law.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Senators urge House to adopt bell-to-bell cell phone ban in Pa. schools
Sen. Steven Santarsiero (D-Bucks) holds a cell phone aloft at a press conference on Feb. 4, 2026. The former teacher said the devices are distractions for students in classrooms. (Photo by Whitney Downard/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)Legislation that would mandate a universal bell-to-bell cell phone ban in public and private schools across the commonwealth now heads to the House after getting the nod from senators. A bipartisan group of senators pe…
Governor Shapiro Reiterates Support for Bell to Bell K-12 Cellphone Ban Across Pennsylvania - Bucks County Beacon
About 74% of Americans support banning cell phones in schools – a number that has increased since last year, according to a Pew Research Center report. This helps explain why since 2025, 26 states have issued bell to bell bans; while four more states have issued some type of restrictions on their use during the school day, as the Albert Shanker Institute points out. Pennsylvania is now a step closer to joining that list. A “bell to bell’ ban o…
Senate Passes Bill To Ban Phones In School - ButlerRadio.com - Butler, PA
A bill that would ban the use of cell phones in schools has passed through the State Senate unanimously. The bipartisan bill would “require schools to adopt and implement a policy that prohibits the use of phones during the school day.” There will be exceptions made for medical conditions or individualized education plans in the ban. The bill’s memo references a 2019 study that showed an increase of depression and anxiety rates between 2010 to 2…
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