Pennsylvania Governor signs statewide ban on student cell phone use in schools

Governor Josh Shapiro traveled to Central Bucks County to sign a statewide ban on cell phone use in all public K-12 schools, slated to begin in the 2027-28 academic year. Speaking at Lenape Middle School, he argued that removing phones will reduce classroom distractions and improve learning outcomes. The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support and the endorsement of Pennsylvania’s largest teachers union, requires districts to adopt policies that prohibit phones from the beginning to the end of the school day, while permitting exemptions for medical reasons and English-language learners.

Superintendent Joanna Wexler and local Democratic officials Steve Santarsiero and Tim Brennan joined the governor at the event. Shapiro noted that schools must establish communication plans for emergencies, emphasizing that safety does not depend on student phone access. The signing occurs shortly before the November 3 election, where Shapiro seeks re-election and Democrats aim to gain control of the state legislature.