Bill
SB 5346
Requires public schools to restrict personal mobile devices during instructional hours starting 2026-27, following OSPI guidance and a statewide model policy.
Status and scope
- Bill: SB 5346
- Title: Restricting mobile device usage by public school students
- Status: First reading, referred to the Early Learning & K-12 Education committee
- Introduced: January 17, 2025
- Purpose: To improve student outcomes by restricting the use of personal mobile devices during instructional hours in public schools, starting in the 2026-27 school year. The approach relies on strategies recommended by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and a state-wide model policy developed by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA).
What the bill would do (high-level)
- Establish a framework to limit personal mobile devices (phones, personal tablets, etc., excluding school-issued devices) during instructional hours.
- Require a state-level process to study, model, and implement device restrictions across districts, with an emphasis on safer, more engaging classroom environments.
- Create a phased timeline: OSPI reporting and policy recommendations by 2025–2026, a model policy by 2026, and district-level adoption by the start of the 2026–27 school year.
- Include potential exceptions to restrictions, to be determined in policy guidance.
Key provisions (by section)
- Sec. 1: Findings and intent
- Documents concerns about distraction and potential harms to mental health and learning outcomes from mobile device use.
- Sets the intent to restrict device use during instructional hours, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, using strategies recommended by OSPI.
- Sec. 2: Process and policy development
- (1) OSPI must, by December 15, 2025, report to legislative committees with:
- A summary of existing WA and other states’ policies to limit device use;
- Recommendations for effective strategies (e.g., time/place/activity-based limits, device collection methods, or secure storage);
- Possible exceptions (e.g., emergencies, certain disabilities, health conditions, English learners, or instructional purposes).
- OSPI must share draft recommendations with the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) to inform a model policy.
- (2) WSSDA must develop a model policy and procedures aligned with OSPI’s recommendations; posted publicly on WSSDA’s website by March 15, 2026.
- (3) By the start of the 2026–27 school year, each school district must adopt a policy and procedures for restricting personal mobile device use during instructional hours, consistent with the model policy; must be communicated to students and parents annually.
- Applies to charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools.
- (4) Definitions:
- “Instructional hours” aligns with RCW 28A.150.205.
- “Mobile device” means any personal mobile phone or portable electronic device used for calls, messaging, games, or video viewing, excluding school-issued devices.
Who is affected
- Public school students in all districts (including charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools) who use personal mobile devices during instructional hours.
- School districts and school boards, as they will be required to adopt district policies consistent with the statewide model.
- OSPI and WSSDA, which guide policy development and implementation.
Timeline to watch
- Dec 15, 2025: OSPI reports to legislature with policies, strategies, and exceptions.
- Mar 15, 2026: WSSDA posts model policy publicly.
- Start of 2026–27 school year: Districts adopt and implement the policy, with annual parent/student communications.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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