House Education revisits H.54 to ban student cell phone use during school day, restrict school social‑media communication

The Vermont House Committee on Education reviewed H.54 on April 23, 2025, a bill “relating to cell phone preschools” that would require each school governing body to adopt and implement a policy prohibiting student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices from arrival to dismissal and would bar schools from using social‑media platforms to communicate directly with students.

Legislative counsel St. James walked the committee through the bill as introduced, reading the bill’s legislative intent and definitions and noting that the proposal is “as introduced” and may be edited. St. James read the bill’s intent phrase: “It is the intent of the General Assembly for all students in Vermont to access the benefits of a phone and social media preschool environment, which promotes focus, improves mental health and increase social mobility.”

The bill would add a new subchapter to Title 16, chapter 9. It defines “cell phone” as any device capable of using cellular technology to facilitate voice service through a commercial telecommunications company and defines “electronic device” broadly to include devices that transmit or store sounds, images, text or other electronic information. The draft requires that each school board, governing body of an independent school, or prequalified private pre‑K provider “develop, adopt, and ensure implementation of” a policy that at minimum prohibits student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the school day. The policy may further bar bringing such devices to school,…