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Bill

SB 913

Screen Free Schools.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Jim Burgin and 2 co-sponsors

Limits most students’ wireless device use during instructional time, with school-level policies and limited exceptions for education, emergencies, health, and IEP/504 needs.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · SB 913

Summary of Bill: SB 913 (Screen Free Schools)

Session: 2025 | Jurisdiction: North Carolina | Short Title: Screen Free Schools

Sponsor: Senator Burgin (Primary)

Status: Filed April 29, 2026

Purpose
- To further limit the use of wireless communication devices by students in public schools.
- Establishes a state policy framework and provides initial funding to help school units implement the policy.

Key Provisions

1) Definitions
- Wireless communication device: Broadly defined to include cellular phones, tablets, laptops, paging devices, two-way radios, gaming devices, and smart watches.
- Wireless communication policy: A policy created by the governing body of each public school unit to govern device use.

2) Prohibition on Device Use During Instructional Time (with exceptions)
- K-8 students: Prohibited from using, displaying, or having a wireless device turned on at any time on school premises during instructional time.
- Grades 9–12: Prohibited from using, displaying, or having a device turned on at any point during the school day, with limited exceptions:
- Policies may allow device use before the school day starts or after the school day ends.
- Exceptions may apply during assessments conducted as part of the Statewide Testing Program.

3) Allowed Uses of Devices During Instructional Time (when permitted)
- If authorized by a teacher for educational purposes or in emergency situations (with teacher-determined parameters).
- As required by:
- A student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
- A student’s documented health care needs (to manage a medical condition).

4) Funding
- Appropriates $100,000 in nonrecurring General Fund money to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
- Purpose: Support governing bodies of public school units in implementing policies under G.S. 115C-76.100 as amended by this act.

5) Effective Date
- The act becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Potential Impact

  • Scope: Applies to all public school units in North Carolina and sets a statewide framework for restricting student device use during instructional time, with school-level policy control.
  • Student Impact:
    • Reduces routine use of wireless devices for most students during school hours, particularly for K–8.
    • Maintains device use only for specified exceptions (education, emergencies, IEP/504 needs, health needs, or pre/post-school times).
  • Operational Impact on Schools:
    • Requires development and enforcement of a school-wide wireless device policy compliant with the act.
    • May necessitate teacher training on granting authorized educational use and managing emergencies.
  • Funding: A one-time $100,000 allocation to assist implementation for the 2026–2027 year.
  • Timeline: Effective July 1, 2026; policies must be in place to regulate use accordingly.

Notes for Readers
- The bill emphasizes prohibition during instructional time for most students, with defined exceptions to balance educational needs, health considerations, and accommodations.
- The policy framework is at the school unit level, not a uniform statewide device ban, allowing local tailoring within the act’s constraints.

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

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