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OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6923
AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF SMART DEVICES IN
SCHOOLS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires local and regional boards of education (“school
boards”) to adopt a policy each school year, starting with the 2025-26
school year, limiting smart device use in the schools they oversee. School
boards must use policy guidance published by the State Department of
Education (SDE) to develop their policy.
This policy must be in addition to any restrictions a school board has
adopted pursuant to the existing law authorizing them to restrict
student cell phone possession or use in their schools. Under that law,
school boards must consider parents’ and students’ special needs when
deciding whether to impose cell phone restrictions.
Under the bill, a smart device is a cellular mobile telephone or other
wearable or portable technology that can connect to the internet; collect,
process, and transmit data; and communicate with other devices and
networks.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Policy Guidance
In August 2024, the State Board of Education (the agency head of
SDE) released a position statement and policy guidance entitled
“Personal Technology Use in Connecticut Schools: Impact of Social
Media and the Use of Cell Phones on Student Learning and Mental
Health.” In the guidance, the board strongly recommends that school
board policies restrict cell phone use during the day to ensure student
engagement in learning; support emotional well-being; and strengthen 2025HB-06923-R000591-BA.DOCX
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students’ interpersonal skills, peer interaction, and social
communication.
Among other things, the guidance recommends that cell phone use
be (1) fully restricted during the school day for elementary and middle
school students and (2) limited during the day for high school students.
The guidance also outlines the recommended roles and responsibilities
of various stakeholders in developing and implementing a policy,
including the school board, school administrators, teachers, students,
and families.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Education Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 33 Nay 11 (03/21/2025)