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Massachusetts Senate approves ‘bell-to-bell’ ban on student cellphones
Summary
The Massachusetts Senate passed Senate Bill 2561 to ban students’ use of cellphones during the school day with defined exceptions and local implementation flexibility; lawmakers debated amendments and adopted several provisions before final passage.
The Massachusetts State Senate on a final vote approved Senate Bill 2,561, an act to “promote student learning and mental health,” establishing a statewide “bell-to-bell” prohibition on student cellphone and personal electronic device use during school hours while preserving specified exceptions and local implementation flexibility.
Supporters argued the ban would reduce classroom distractions and improve social interaction and mental health. "This legislation strikes the right balance in being bold and going bell to bell, providing exceptions where necessary," Senator Creighton of the Third Essex District said on the floor.
The bill direc…
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