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Bill

SD 868

An Act limiting cell phones in classrooms

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donnie Berthiaume and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill would restrict student cell phone use during school hours to reduce classroom distractions and improve academic focus.

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Bill Summary · SD 868

Legislative bill overview

SD 868 proposes to limit or restrict student access to cell phones during school hours in Massachusetts classrooms. The bill aims to reduce classroom distractions and improve student focus on instruction. It establishes parameters for how schools should manage student device usage in educational settings.

Why is this important

Cell phone use in schools is increasingly recognized as affecting academic performance and classroom engagement, with studies showing both distraction effects and potential benefits for accessibility needs. This bill addresses a practical concern affecting thousands of Massachusetts students daily while raising questions about implementation consistency across diverse school districts. The policy also touches on broader questions about student rights, parental communication access, and equity considerations for different student populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation methods: Whether phones should be collected, locked away, silenced, or left with students; who bears responsibility for lost or damaged devices
  • Medical and accessibility exceptions: How to balance restrictions with needs of students requiring phones for diabetes management, hearing aids, or other medical/disability accommodations
  • Parental communication: Concerns from parents wanting direct emergency contact ability versus school safety arguments
  • Equity issues: Whether restricting devices disadvantages lower-income students who rely on phones for research and learning resources
  • Enforcement burden: Questions about teacher time spent managing phone compliance versus instruction

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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