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Senate passes Distraction-Free Education Act banning student cell phones K–8
Summary
The Georgia Senate passed House Bill 340 to require K–8 public schools to adopt bell-to-bell policies restricting personal cell phone use, with local school systems authorized to set implementation details. Supporters cited learning and safety benefits; opponents raised emergency-contact and implementation questions and offered failed carve-outs.
The Georgia Senate on Wednesday passed House Bill 340, the "Distraction-Free Education Act," requiring public schools to enact policies that keep personal cell phones and similar personal electronic devices out of K–8 classrooms for the full school day beginning with the 2026–27 school year.
Sponsor remarks and why it matters Senator (District 30), the bill sponsor, told colleagues that the measure aims to reduce classroom distractions and improve student safety and mental health. "Let's get cell phones out of the classroom so a teacher can teach, and our brightest minds can learn," the sponsor said during floor debate.
The bill directs local school systems to adopt written policies that specify permissible student uses (for example, during specified instructional times or for approved accommodations), provide procedures…
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