If funded, federal grants would help states enforce school device bans

The federal education secretary would run a grant program for state education agencies. State agencies with approved applications could use grants to enforce qualifying device policies and buy secure storage for public elementary and secondary schools. A state must certify that it allows schools and local agencies to develop procedures for urgent communication with parents and emergency responders. Grant awards would depend on Congress later providing money; the bill sets no specific amount.

To receive a grant, a state education agency would need a policy barring students from possessing or using covered personal devices during school hours. Covered devices include phones, smartwatches, and other connected handheld or wearable devices. Certain school-approved laptops and tablets used only for instruction would not count. States would design the policy with local education agencies and consult educators, parents, and students. The policy must allow a device when a licensed health professional certifies it is needed for treatment or monitoring, or when a student’s disability plan says it is needed. A state may allow a documented exception for an English learner who needs a device for instruction, and may add other student exceptions. States, local agencies, and schools could keep stricter device rules. The restriction would cover the instructional day, from its state-defined start through its end.

The federal education secretary would divide available grant money among state education agencies with approved applications. Each state’s share would track its share under the cited Title I formula in the previous fiscal year. Each recipient would receive at least 0.5% of the allotted total. Money for a state that does not receive an allotment would be divided among the remaining states under the same rules. The formula would apply for each fiscal year in which Congress provides grant money.