An act relating to cell phone-free schools
S.21 would require Vermont schools to adopt and implement policies that prohibit student use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day, from arrival to dismissal. The bill applies to public schools, independent schools, career and technical education centers, and prequalified private prekindergarten providers. Schools could choose how to enforce the ban, including barring devices from campus, requiring them to be stored in a designated area, or using device lockers or lockable pouches.
The bill also prohibits schools, school districts, and supervisory unions from directly communicating with students through social media or requiring students to use social media for schoolwork, extracurriculars, or other school-sponsored activities. It further requires schools to block access to social media on school-issued devices and while students are under school supervision. Limited exceptions are included for medical necessity and for accommodations required by an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
If enacted, the bill would add a new subchapter to Title 16 governing cell phone and personal electronic device use in schools, creating a statewide baseline policy requirement for covered schools and providers. It would also impose new restrictions on school communications and technology practices, affecting school boards, independent schools, supervisory unions, and private prekindergarten providers. The bill includes definitions for key terms such as cell phone, electronic device, school, student, and social media, and it sets different effective dates for the findings and policy provisions.
The bill appears to have been introduced with strong support for phone-free and social media-free school environments, emphasizing student focus, mental health, social cohesion, and reduced bullying. The findings cite survey data, public health concerns, and examples from Vermont schools to justify the policy. No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no recorded legislative debate or formal vote history to indicate opposition or amendment activity.
The main points of potential contention are the breadth of the device ban, the limits on school communication through social media, and the administrative burden of implementing and enforcing new policies. Schools may need to decide whether to prohibit devices from being brought to school, require storage, or use locking systems, which could raise cost and logistics concerns. Another likely issue is balancing the statewide prohibition with exceptions for medical needs and special education accommodations, as well as concerns about privacy, accessibility, and how schools communicate with students and families without social media.