Facts
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 1014, a statewide school cellphone ban, on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Lenape Middle School in Doylestown, according to the governor’s office.
- The law requires every public, charter, cyber charter and private school to adopt a policy barring students from using personal cell phones during the school day, including lunch, recess and class transitions. Schools must have compliant policies in place by the start of the 2027-28 school year.
- The governor’s office said the bill does not require schools to take possession of devices. Schools must notify parents about emergency communication procedures, allow public input and publish their policies online.
- Exceptions cover documented medical needs, special education or disability accommodations, English language learning devices and other pre-approved, limited instructional uses.
- The bill passed the House 141-62 and the Senate 47-3, according to the governor’s office. Its sponsors were Sens. Devlin Robinson, Steve Santarsiero and Vincent Hughes.
- Chalkbeat reported that the law leaves enforcement details to districts and provides no new funding. The 2024 state budget included money for lockable phone pouches, but some districts declined it.
- Chalkbeat said the law ends the flexibility some Philadelphia principals have used, with some already banning phones and others allowing use at lunch. Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington has previously said phone policies are best made at the school level, Chalkbeat reported. The district said it will work with principals, educators, students and families on a districtwide policy.
- Chalkbeat reported no formal opposition to the bill and said Pennsylvania joins New York, New Jersey, Indiana and dozens of other states with similar limits.
Quotes
Gov. Josh Shapiro: “Technology is a powerful tool, but it’s also a powerful distraction.”
Sen. Devlin Robinson: “smartphones are harmful to the mental health of kids and teens.”
Aaron Chapin, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said he is “confident that this change to the school day will have a positive impact on student behavior.”
Source Read the governor’s announcement here.
Image Hallway of school by ChadPerez49, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
