1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1437 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 549
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
David F. DeCoste
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to regulate the use of mobile communication devices in educational institutions.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:David F. DeCoste5th Plymouth1/14/2025Geoffrey Gordon1/14/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1437 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 549
By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 549) of
David F. DeCoste and Geoffrey Gordon for legislation to regulate the use of mobile
communication devices in educational institutions. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act to regulate the use of mobile communication devices in educational institutions.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting after section 37 the following new section:-
3 Section 38.
4 (a) For the purposes of this section, “Mobile communication device” shall be defined as
5to any portable electronic device that enables voice communication, text messaging, internet
6access, and application usage, including but not limited to smartphones and tablets.
7 (b) The department shall establish standards for school districts to prohibit the usage of
8mobile communication devices during instructional hours within all public elementary,
9secondary, and vocational schools. These standards shall require students store mobile
10communication devices in designated areas or lockers during school hours to minimize
11distractions and enhance focus during educational activities. The standards shall not prohibit
12authorized personnel from using mobile communication devices for official school purposes or 2 of 2
13students with documented medical needs or other exceptional circumstances from using mobile
14communication devices as approved by school administration. The standards shall require ensure
15schools establish clear communication to students and parents regarding the regulations and any
16consequences for violations of the school’s cell phone policy.
17 (c) The standards may allow schools to adopt exceptions for cellular phones which do not
18provide internet access or application usage to its users, so that students may communicate with
19parents and guardians while minimizing noise and distractions to the learning environment.
20 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect at the beginning of the next academic year
21following its passage.