Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to regulate the use of cell phones in Minnesota schools to improve student behavior, mental health, and academic performance.

Main Provisions

• School Cell Phone Policy Requirement:

  • By March 15, 2025, school districts and charter schools must adopt policies governing student possession and use of cell phones in schools.
  • The policies must prohibit cell phones and smart watches for students in kindergarten through 8th grade within schools and prohibit their presence in classrooms for grades 9 through 12.
  • Exceptions are allowed for medical needs, devices included in individualized education programs for students with disabilities, or other discretionary exceptions by school principals.

• Collaboration for Best Practices:

  • The Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association and the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals are tasked with collaborating to provide schools with best practices to manage the impact of cell phones.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.73, specifically regarding how cell phones are managed in educational settings.

Appropriations

• The bill appropriates funds from the general fund for the following:

  • Statewide Campaign: A campaign to educate about the negative effects of screen overuse and misuse, targeted at parents and caregivers from early childhood through grade 12.
  • Implementation Grants: Grants are provided to school districts and charter schools to help implement these cell phone use policies. These grants cover one-time expenses and cannot be used for ongoing costs such as salaries.

• Administrative costs for grants are capped, with any unspent funds in fiscal year 2026 rolling over to fiscal year 2027.

Relevant Terms

cell phones, smart watches, education policy, Minnesota school districts, charter schools, kindergarten, grades 9-12, student behavior, mental health, academic attainment, individualized education programs, state campaign, screen overuse, implementation grants.