If the bill—which is supported by Framingham’s State Senator and teacher’s union president—is approved by the House and signed by Governor Maura Healey, public schools in Massachusetts would be required to prohibit phone usage during the entire school day starting in 2026.
BOSTON - The Massachusetts State Senate voted 38-2 on Thursday, July 31, to approve of a bill that would institute a statewide ban of cellphone usage in public schools.
The legislation would mandate that public schools would have to adopt the framework for “bell-to-bell” bans of phones. Device usage would be prohibited during the entire school day, including during recess and lunch periods. Certain exceptions would be made for some students, including those with certain disability or health requirements, while avenues for parents and guardians to keep in contact with students would still have to be provided.
If approved by the House of Representatives and eventually signed into law by Governor Maura Healey, the legislation would go into effect for the 2026-27 school year. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would provide guidance on how public school districts can implement these restrictions if the bill were to be signed.
Proponents of the bill, including Healey along with State Senate President and Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk District Karen Spilka as well as Framingham Teachers Association President Christine Mulroney, believe that these bell-to-bell bans would help eliminate distractions in the classroom for both students and teachers.
“Massachusetts has a proud history of supporting and uplifting K-12 public education for our residents, but a device small enough to fit in a pocket presents a profound challenge to ensuring student success,” Senator Spilka said in a statement following Thursday’s vote on Beacon Hill.
As of the time of publication, Massachusetts is one of 17 states in the country that does not have any official law, executive order, or policy related to cellphone restrictions within public schools, according to Ballotpedia.
“When phones are put away, everything changes,” Mulroney said last week during a press conference at the State House, per WGBH.
“Students make eye contact. They engage in real conversations. They focus longer. They learn better. The classroom is more human again.”
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