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SB 1296

Use of Wireless Communications Devices in Schools

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Danny Burgess and 1 co-sponsor

SB 1296 restricts Florida K-12 students' wireless device use during school hours while allowing educational and emergency exceptions, placing enforcement responsibility on individual schools.

Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
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Bill Summary · SB 1296

Legislative bill overview

SB 1296 would restrict students' use of wireless communications devices (primarily smartphones) during school hours in Florida public schools. The bill establishes parameters for when and how students can access their devices, with exceptions for educational purposes and emergency situations. Schools would have discretion in implementing specific policies within the framework set by state law.

Why is this important

Student smartphone use during school hours has become a widespread concern among educators, parents, and researchers due to potential impacts on academic focus, mental health, and social development. This bill represents a state-level attempt to address classroom management and student wellness issues that individual schools and districts have been handling inconsistently. The policy could affect daily school operations for approximately 2.9 million Florida public school students.

Potential points of contention

  • Educational access vs. restriction: Defining which educational uses justify device access while preventing recreational use creates implementation challenges and potential loopholes
  • Emergency communication concerns: Balancing restrictions with parents' desire to reach children during emergencies, particularly after school safety incidents
  • Equity and accommodation issues: Students with disabilities, 504 plans, or medical conditions requiring device access may need exemptions that complicate uniform policy enforcement
  • Enforcement burden: Schools would bear administrative costs for monitoring compliance without clear guidance on consequences or enforcement mechanisms

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

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