Education - Phone-Free Schools Pilot Program - Establishment
Summary
SB29 establishes the Phone-Free Schools Pilot Program in Maryland. The pilot would apply only to two eligible local school systems: Carroll County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools. Each system would select one middle school and one high school to participate and would be required to adopt and enforce a policy prohibiting student cell phone use during instructional time, with the school day defined to exclude lunch.
The bill is designed as a data-collection pilot to evaluate whether limiting student cell phone use affects academic achievement, classroom engagement, social interactions, behavior, and discipline. It also requires schools to gather feedback from students, teachers, and parents or guardians, and to track enforcement challenges and issues such as bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment. Each participating school system must submit a report to the Maryland Department of Education and the General Assembly by September 1, 2026, on the pilot’s effectiveness.
Impact
If enacted, SB29 would add a new section to Maryland Education Article § 7-136 and create a temporary pilot program rather than a statewide mandate. It would require the two named school systems to adopt local cell phone restrictions during instructional time and to establish enforcement procedures, including disciplinary measures for violations. The bill preserves exceptions for uses required by an IEP or Section 504 plan, for documented health needs, and when directed by educators or administrators for educational purposes.
Sentiment
The bill’s structure suggests a generally policy-oriented and experimental approach, with the goal of gathering evidence before broader action is considered. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct record of debate or formal support/opposition in the supplied materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears aimed at addressing concerns about distraction and classroom management while allowing limited exceptions for student needs and instructional use.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be student access to phones during the school day versus the educational benefits of restricting them. Supporters would likely emphasize improved focus, engagement, and discipline, while critics may raise concerns about enforcement, student safety, communication with families, and the burden on schools to monitor compliance. Additional sensitivity may arise around exceptions for disability accommodations and health-related use, as well as whether a pilot in only two counties is sufficient to inform broader statewide policy.