Senate advances statewide "bell‑to‑bell" cell phone ban for K‑12, sets DESE guidance and 2026 implementation

Senator Lewis introduced Senate Bill 2561, “an act to promote student learning and mental health,” telling colleagues the bill would require Massachusetts K‑12 public schools to implement a “bell‑to‑bell” restriction on student possession and use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the full school day. The legislation would require each district to adopt a policy by the start of the 2026–27 school year. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) must solicit public input and produce guidance, recommendations and a model policy within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. Local districts would be able to adopt or adapt DESE’s model and must publicly notify families and submit policies to DESE. The bill lists three specific exceptions districts must allow in their policies: where a device is needed for a student with a disability as documented in an…