MarylandMaryland county schools bar student device use during the school day
Maryland county school boards must put policies in place by the 2027–2028 school year that bar students from using personal devices during the school day, with listed exceptions.
What it does
County boards must put policies in place that bar students from using personal communication devices during the school day. Policies must allow listed uses, including disability accommodations and documented health needs.
Argument forStudents may face fewer device distractions during the school day because county policies must bar them from using electronic communication devices.
Argument againstStudents may have less access to personal messages during the school day because county policies must bar them from using their devices.
More detail
Each county board must develop and put in place a policy that prohibits students from using electronic communication devices during the academic school day. The rule covers students in county public school systems from the first bell through dismissal, including lunch, recess, and passing periods. It does not apply to the Maryland School for the Blind or the Maryland School for the Deaf. County-provided devices for instruction are outside the definition. The policy must allow use for disability accommodations, documented health issues, emergencies expressly approved by an administrator, instructor-directed lessons, translation when school devices are unavailable or insufficient, and caregiving approved by a principal. The policies must be in place no later than the 2027–2028 school year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 596Became Law
- Apr 11Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 11Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 11House Concurs Senate Amendments
- Apr 9Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 8Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 8Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Apr 8Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 28
- Vote recorded On Third Reading and Final Passage (Hse concurred). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Referred Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 23Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 21Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Vote recorded On Third Reading (Amend). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 21Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 21Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and MeansMinor
- Mar 11
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 27First Reading Ways and MeansIntroduced
EducationTechnology