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HB 630

County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Phone Use Policy - Establishment (Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Adrian Boafo and 15 co-sponsors

Maryland counties must adopt uniform policies banning student cell use during instructional time, require secure storage, enforce discipline, with exemptions, by 2026–27.

Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 630

Summary — HB 630 (Maryland Phone‑Free Schools Act)

Bill short title: County Boards of Education — Student Cellular Phone Use Policy — Establishment
Bill source: House Bill 630 (5lr1316), Maryland Ways and Means (Introduced/read first time Jan. 23, 2025)

Purpose / Intent

Require each Maryland county board of education to create and implement a uniform local policy that limits student use of cellular phones during instructional time to reduce classroom distraction and regulate personal device use in public schools.

Key provisions

  • Definition: “Instructional time” = any time during the school day except a student’s lunch period.
  • Deadline: Each county board must develop and implement the policy no later than the 2026–2027 school year.
  • Core requirements for the policy:
    • Prohibit students from using cellular phones during instructional time.
    • Require students to store phones in a secure place during instructional time.
    • Prohibit student use of social media applications and websites the county board determines should be blocked during school hours.
  • Required exemptions — the policy may NOT prohibit phone use:
    • For any purpose documented in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan;
    • To monitor or address a documented health issue;
    • During an emergency event;
    • When an educator or administrator directs a student to use a phone for educational purposes.
  • Discipline: Policy must include administrator‑enforced disciplinary measures for violations, with at least a warning for a first offense.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Public school students (K–12) in Maryland and local school administrators responsible for enforcement.
  • Secondary: County boards of education (must develop/implement policies), teachers, parents/guardians, and local school staff managing secure storage and discipline.
  • Students with documented disabilities retain accommodations under IEPs/504 plans.

Fiscal and implementation impacts

  • Effective date in bill text: July 1, 2025.
  • Implementation deadline for policies: by the 2026–2027 school year.
  • State fiscal impact: Department of Legislative Services estimates no direct State cost (policy development and enforcement are local responsibilities).
  • Local fiscal impact: DLS anticipates counties can adopt or adapt existing policies and establish secure storage using existing resources; no new statewide funding required. Several large districts already have comparable policies.
  • Practical considerations: districts may need communications to families, training for administrators on enforcement, and logistical arrangements for secure phone storage.

Additional context

  • The Maryland State Department of Education has convened a Task Force on Student Cell Phone Use to provide recommendations; guidance documents (e.g., the U.S. Dept. of Education playbook) are available to assist districts.
  • The legislation preserves local control by requiring county boards to create policies that meet the statutory floor while allowing district‑level tailoring within the law’s requirements and exemptions.

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

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