WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 192

County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Phone Use Policy - Established (No Distracted Learning Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nino Mangione

Maryland school boards must create policies limiting student cell phone use during instruction to reduce classroom distraction while accommodating educational needs and disabilities.

Hearing 1/29 at 1:00 p.m.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 192

Legislative bill overview

HB 192 requires Maryland county boards of education to establish policies regulating student cellular phone use during instructional time to reduce classroom distractions. The bill mandates that each board develop and implement guidelines addressing when, where, and how students may use phones, with flexibility for educational purposes and accommodations for students with disabilities.

Why is this important

Classroom phone use significantly impacts student attention and academic performance—studies show that mere phone presence reduces cognitive function. This bill addresses a widespread concern among educators and parents by creating consistent, evidence-based standards across Maryland schools while maintaining local control through county-level policy development rather than state mandates.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and enforcement: Schools must develop policies and train staff to monitor compliance, potentially requiring additional resources without state funding mechanisms specified
  • Equity and disability accommodations: Defining "accommodations for students with disabilities" may create ambiguity about which students receive exemptions and how schools verify legitimate educational needs
  • Parental communication concerns: Parents who want to reach children in emergencies may view restrictions as problematic, though the bill likely permits phones outside instructional time
  • Age-appropriateness debate: Questions remain about whether younger elementary students should face the same restrictions as high school students

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

Sign in to ask a question.