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HB 755

County Boards of Education - Student Personal Electronic Device Use Policy - Establishment (Phones Away for the School Day Act)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sarah Wolek

Maryland school boards must establish policies restricting student smartphone use during instructional time while permitting educational and emergency exceptions.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 755

Legislative bill overview

HB 755 requires county boards of education in Maryland to establish policies governing student use of personal electronic devices (primarily smartphones) during the school day. The bill mandates that these policies restrict phone access during instructional time while allowing for specific exceptions in educational contexts and emergencies.

Why is this important

Student phone use during school hours has become a widespread concern affecting classroom engagement, academic performance, and mental health. This legislation would create statewide consistency in device policies across Maryland counties while giving local school boards flexibility to tailor restrictions to their communities' needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Schools must develop comprehensive policies and enforce them without clear guidance on consequences for violations or student privacy protections
  • Equity concerns: Students from lower-income families may lack reliable home internet, making phones their primary academic resource; blanket restrictions could disadvantage them
  • Enforcement fairness: Unclear how policies will account for students with documented needs (anxiety, medical alerts, 504 plan accommodations) or whether enforcement will disproportionately affect certain student populations
  • Parental communication: Restricting phone access may limit parents' ability to reach children in non-emergency situations or coordinate pickup changes
  • Definition vagueness: The bill doesn't clearly define "personal electronic devices" (does it include smartwatches or only phones?) or specify what constitutes appropriate exceptions

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

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