Pennsylvania House approves statewide ban on student cell phone use

On Monday, the Pennsylvania House voted overwhelmingly to require all schools to bar student cell phone use from the beginning to the end of the school day, a proposal backed by Governor Josh Shapiro. The bill cleared the House with a 141-62 margin and now moves to the Republican-run Senate for approval. It mandates that public and private institutions implement the ban starting in the 2027 school year, though schools may retain phones for students with documented medical or special-needs exemptions and must devise their own enforcement methods.

Rep. Mandy Steele framed the move as a response to declining test scores and rising mental-health concerns, while Rep. Scott Barger opposed the bill, arguing that any exceptions undermine its purpose. The proposal aligns with a growing national trend, as thirty states already enforce full-day bans and eight more restrict phones during instruction. Education groups such as the Pennsylvania State Education Association support the ban, whereas the Pennsylvania School Boards Association cautions that many districts already have phone policies in place.