Pennsylvania Lawmakers Pass School Phone Ban

Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill requiring public and other schools to prohibit students from using cellphones throughout the school day, and Gov. Josh Shapiro says he will sign it. The statewide rule is scheduled to take effect in the 2027-28 school year, with districts deciding how phones are stored and how the policy is enforced. Exceptions include certain medical needs, translation assistance, individualized education plans and approved instructional use. Supporters say the ban will reduce distractions and address concerns about students’ mental health and social-media use. School resource officers say emergency response plans do not depend on students using phones, while some parents have raised safety concerns.