Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Utilize No Phones in Learning to Unleash Growth in Grades and Educate Distraction-free Act of 2025

or the

UNPLUGGED Act of 2025

Findings; sense of Congress

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following:(1)Public education is critical to the economic vitality, national security, and democratic governance of the United States.(2)Disruptions to the educational process directly affect national productivity, civic engagement, and workforce development.(3)The excessive use of mobile phones during school hours significantly impairs the ability of schools to maintain effective educational environments.(4)A growing body of peer-reviewed literature has documented the detrimental effects of mobile phone usage in classrooms on attention, academic performance, and mental health.(5)Studies published in journals such as Computers in Human Behavior, Educational Psychology, and the Journal of Adolescent Health have shown that the presence of mobile phones in academic settings correlates with reduced focus, lower test scores, increased academic procrastination, and higher levels of anxiety and depression among students.(6)Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, in both his academic work and public commentary, has—(A)extensively documented the relationship between the rise of smartphone use among adolescents and the decline in mental health indicators;(B)produced research pointing to a sharp increase in rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm beginning around 2012–2013, coinciding with widespread smartphone and social media adoption among teenagers; and(C)argued that overexposure to digital devices and online platforms undermines the development of resilience, emotional regulation, and in-person social connection.(7)Limiting in-school phone access is essential to reversing harmful psychological and academic trends in American youth.(8)The presence of mobile phones in educational settings contributes to increased rates of bullying, cyber harassment, academic dishonesty, and classroom distractions, thereby undermining the core mission of public education.(9)These issues are not confined to a single state or region and are national in scope, with similar patterns of disruption and diminished student outcomes reported across state lines.(10)The cumulative effect of diminished educational achievement has a substantial impact on the national economy and workforce preparedness.(b)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that each State educational agency, in coordination with each local educational agency served by the State educational agency and in consultation with educators, parents, and students, should establish and enforce a policy that—(1)enables parents to notify students through school officials about forgotten items, changes in pick-up times, and other common issues; and(2)enables schools to communicate with parents regarding time-sensitive items.

Prohibition of student phone possession in schools

(a)

In general

Not later than the first school year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, each State educational agency, in coordination with each local educational agency served by the State educational agency and in consultation with educators, parents, and students, shall establish and enforce a policy that prohibits student possession or use of personal electronic devices, including personal mobile phones, in public schools during school hours.(b)

Secure storage methods

A personal electronic device policy established pursuant to subsection (a) may include a requirement that public schools use secure storage methods, including—(1)lockable lockers;(2)secure lock boxes;(3)magnetic pouches or other signal-blocking storage devices; or(4)other technologies or materials deemed appropriate by the State educational agency.(c)

Exceptions

A personal electronic device policy established pursuant to subsection (a) may permit exceptions for—(1)students with medical or health conditions that require the use of a mobile phone or other personal electronic device as part of a treatment or monitoring plan, as certified by a licensed healthcare provider;(2)students with disabilities or special needs for whom access to a personal mobile phone or other personal electronic device is—(A)documented as necessary in an individualized education program; or(B)included as part of services or accommodations provided to the student pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) (commonly referred to as a Section 504 plan);(3)on an individualized basis for students—(A)who are English learners;(B)who have a demonstrated need for a personal electronic device to facilitate instruction; and(C)acquire documentation in support of subparagraph (A) and (B) in accordance with procedures established by the State educational agency; and(4)additional situations as States and local education authorities deem necessary and appropriate.(d)

Minimum requirement

The requirements in this Act shall constitute a minimum standard. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt or prevent a State, State educational agency, or local educational agency from enacting more restrictive policies regarding student possession or use of mobile phones or other personal electronic devices during school hours, on school grounds, or during school activities.(e)

Grant program authorized

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Education shall establish a grant program to provide funding to State educational agencies to purchase, implement, or maintain secure storage methods, and related training or infrastructure, in accordance with a personal electronic device policy established by such State educational agency pursuant to subsection (a).(2)

Application

To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State educational agency shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

Definitions

For purposes of this Act:(1)

ESEA terms

The terms elementary school, English learner, local educational agency, secondary school, State, and State educational agency have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(2)

Individualized education program

The term individualized education program has the meaning given such term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401).(3)

Mobile phone

The term mobile phone means any handheld communication device with cellular, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth capability, including smartphones and similar devices.(4)

Personal electronic device

The term personal electronic device—(A)includes mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, and other handheld or wearable devices with communication, internet, or multimedia capabilities; and(B)does not include laptops or tablets that are authorized by the school and used solely for instructional purposes under teacher supervision so long as such laptops or tablets are restricted from accessing social media platforms, personal email, messaging or texting services, and other non-academic applications during instructional time.(5)

Public school

The term public school means—(A)a public elementary school; and(B)a public secondary school.(6)

School hours

The term school hours means the period from the start of the instructional day until the end of the instructional day, as defined by the State educational agency.