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H 715

An Act relative to phone-free schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Sena and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill requires districts to ban personal devices during the school day and store them in a pouch system, with district policies and DESE oversight.

Accompanied a new draft, see H4745
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Bill Summary · H 715

Summary: H.715 An Act relative to phone-free schools (Massachusetts)

Purpose and intent

H.715 seeks to prohibit the use of personal electronic devices by students during the school day and to establish a standardized system (a “pouch system”) for securing devices in schools. The bill adds new language to Chapter 71 of the General Laws and directs school districts to implement a district-wide policy and a corresponding pouch system, with regulatory oversight by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Key provisions

  • Definitions (Section 102(a))

    • “Personal electronic device” includes cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, computers, or any other portable device capable of voice communication, text messaging, or internet access.
    • “Pouch system” is a method by which a student’s device is stored in a pouch that can be locked or unlocked at times and locations designated by school staff.

  • Pouch system requirement (Section 102(b))

    • Every school district must implement a pouch system that restricts use of personal electronic devices during the school day.

  • District policy (Section 102(c))

    • Each district must adopt a policy governing the pouch system.
    • The policy may permit use of devices only if authorized by teaching or administrative staff.
    • Students must secure their devices in a pouch upon entering school, and each pouch must be unlocked at the end of the school day.

  • Annual review and regulatory oversight (Section 102(d))

    • Districts must annually submit their pouch-system policies to DESE for review and approval.
    • DESE is tasked with promulgating regulations (pursuant to Chapter 30A) that establish minimum requirements for district policies.

Note: The text shows numbering that suggests two consecutive subsections labeled (c); the substance above consolidates the requirements into a coherent N-tier structure (definitions, system, policy, annual review/regulation).

Who is affected

  • All public school districts in Massachusetts, including students, teachers, and administrators, who would be subject to the pouch-system requirement and the district policies.
  • DESE, which would review district policies and issue regulatory minimums to standardize implementation.

Implementation timeline and status

  • Introduced February 27, 2025; referred to the Committee on Education.
  • Senate concurred; accompanied by a new draft (H.4745) as of November 17, 2025.
  • Hearing scheduled (initially) for June 17, 2025; reporting date extended to December 17, 2025.
  • Related bill: HD 442 (appears to replace or be replaced by H.715).

Impact considerations

  • Operational: Schools would need to procure pouches and establish secure storage workflows; staff would manage device access per the policy.
  • Regulatory: DESE would issue minimum standards to ensure consistency across districts.
  • Privacy and equity: Districts may need to consider exceptions or accommodations (e.g., for health emergencies, accessibility needs) as allowed by staff authorization and policy language.
  • Fiscal: No explicit funding is provided in the text; districts may incur costs to implement and maintain the pouch systems and training.

This bill aims to create a uniform framework for reducing daytime use of personal devices in schools through a district-managed pouch system and state regulatory oversight.

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

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