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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 442 FILED ON: 1/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 715
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joshua Tarsky
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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 relative to phone-free schools.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Joshua Tarsky13th Norfolk1/9/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 442 FILED ON: 1/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 715
By Representative Tarsky of Needham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 715) of
Joshua Tarsky for legislation to prohibit the use of personal electronic devices by students during
the school day. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to phone-free schools.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
2 Section 102. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall, unless the
3context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-
4 “Personal electronic device”, a cell telephone, tablet, smart watch, computer or other
5portable electronic device capable of voice communication, text messaging or internet access.
6 “Pouch system”, a system in which access to a personal electronic device is restricted
7through storing the device in a pouch, which can be locked or unlocked at certain times and
8locations by the school’s teaching or administrative staff.
9 (b) Each school district shall implement a pouch system to prohibit the use of personal
10electronic devices by students during the school day. 2 of 2
11 (c) Each school district shall implement a policy for the use of the pouch system. The
12policy shall permit the use of personal electronic devices if authorized by teaching or
13administrative staff. The policy shall require that students secure their personal electronic
14devices in a pouch upon entrance to the school and that each pouch is unlocked at the end of the
15school day.
16 (c) Annually, the school district shall submit its policies to the department for review and
17approval. The department shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to chapter 30A, which shall
18include minimum requirements for the school districts’ policies.