Requires every public school to have a policy regarding the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds.
H5598 requires every Rhode Island public school and charter school to adopt a policy governing the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities. The stated purpose is to reduce distractions, support learning-focused environments, and protect the privacy and safety of students and staff. The policy must prohibit student physical access to personal devices during the school day, as defined by education regulations, while still allowing schools to set the details of implementation.
The bill requires districts to make exceptions for device use tied to assistive technology, Section 504 plans, individualized education programs (IEPs), medical needs such as glucose monitoring, and supports for emergent multilingual learners. It also requires exceptions for emergencies and prohibits segregating students who receive an exception from those who do not. School committees, in consultation with superintendents or charter boards and collective bargaining representatives, must establish and enforce the policy, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must issue guidance, post it publicly, and update it annually. Schools and districts must also file their policies with the department, and the act takes effect August 1, 2026.
The bill amends Rhode Island General Laws chapter 16-21, adding a new section that creates a statewide framework for local school policies on personal electronic devices. It does not impose one uniform disciplinary code, but it does require every public school district and charter school to adopt a policy meeting minimum standards, including device restrictions during the school day, specified exceptions, and limits on school searches of retained devices. It also directs state education officials, in consultation with the attorney general and public health officials, to provide implementation guidance and collect district policies.
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill, as it passed the House unanimously by a 72-0 vote. The bill’s framing emphasizes classroom focus, student safety, and privacy, which are generally popular policy goals. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate in the materials about the bill’s merits or drawbacks.
The main points of potential contention are the scope of the device restriction, how strictly schools may enforce it, and how exceptions will be administered. Families, educators, and staff may differ over whether a near-ban during the school day is too restrictive or necessary to reduce distractions. Another possible issue is implementation: schools must balance enforcement with accommodations for students with disabilities, medical needs, and multilingual learner supports, while also avoiding conflict with parents and staff and respecting limits on searching student devices.