CaliforniaCalifornia limits kindergarten take-home device requirements in 2027–28
Starting in 2027–28, California schools may not require kindergarten pupils to take home school devices, though they may allow it and may require one for specified needs.
What it does
Starting in 2027–28, schools may not require kindergarten pupils to take home school devices. They may allow it, and may require a device when it is needed for an education plan, an attendance-disrupting emergency, or independent study.
By July 1, 2027, the department must post resources about age-appropriate screen time and school device use, plus guidance on classroom devices and electronics recycling or buy-back programs.
School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools are encouraged to review screen-time policies with input from educators, families, and pupils.
Argument forKindergarten pupils could spend less time using screens at home when schools do not require take-home devices, while listed exceptions preserve access for certain needs.
Argument againstIf a school chooses not to allow take-home devices, some pupils might have fewer ways to do homework when they lack another suitable device.
More detail
Starting in the 2027–28 school year, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools may not require kindergarten pupils to take home school-issued devices. Kindergarten includes transitional kindergarten. Devices include computers, tablets, smartphones, and similar devices that run software. Schools may still allow pupils to take devices home. A school may require a device when it is necessary under an individualized education program, an emergency that prevents in-person attendance as determined by the school, or an independent study program. The rule starts with the 2027–28 school year.
The State Department of Education must curate and maintain online resources and guidance about school screen time and electronic devices. The resources cover age-appropriate screen time and device use in schools, and the guidance covers classroom devices and electronics recycling or buy-back programs. The department must consider age-appropriate screen time, teacher interaction, and effects on early reading, arithmetic, and fine motor skills. The department must post the resources and guidance on or before July 1, 2027.
Local educational agencies are encouraged to regularly review and update their screen-time policies and seek input from teachers, school administrators, families, pupils, and other relevant groups. This encouragement applies to school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools. Reviews are encouraged to consider grade-level rules, costs and technical support, home monitoring, homework methods, fairness, and pupil safety and privacy.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 10Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 191, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 10Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 4Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 28Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.Major
- Vote recorded Unfinished Business SB1128 Stern et al. Concurrence. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 28In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
- Aug 27Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 6746.) Ordered to the Senate.Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded SB 1128 Stern Senate Third Reading By Wicks. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 13Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
- Aug 5August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
- Jul 2Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jul 2From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 1).Major
- Jul 1
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 4June 17 hearing postponed by committee.
- Jun 1Referred to Com. on ED.Minor
- May 22In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- Vote recorded Special Consent. Result: pass.Upper
- May 22Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 33. Noes 0. Page 4419.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- May 20Ordered to special consent calendar.
- May 14Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 4265.) (May 14).Minor
- May 8Set for hearing May 14.
- May 4May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 24Set for hearing May 4.
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 4007.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED.Major
- Apr 10Set for hearing April 22.
- Feb 26Referred to Com. on ED.Minor
- Feb 18From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 20.
- Feb 17Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced
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