Enrolled Copy S.B. 178
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Devices in Public Schools
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Lincoln Fillmore
House Sponsor: Douglas R. Welton
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This bill addresses the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies during
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classroom hours.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This bill:
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▸ defines terms;
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▸ prohibits a student from using a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology during
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classroom hours;
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▸ allows a local education agency to create exemptions to the prohibition; and
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▸ permits the State Board of Education to create model policies.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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This bill provides a special effective date.
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Utah Code Sections Affected:
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ENACTS:
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53G-7-226, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
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Section 1. Section 53G-7-226 is enacted to read:
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53G-7-226 . Cellular device prohibition.
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(1) As used in this section:
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(a) "Cellphone" means a handheld, portable electronic device that is designed to be
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operated using one or both hands and is capable of transmitting and receiving voice, S.B. 178 Enrolled Copy
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data, or text communication by means of:
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(i) a cellular network;
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(ii) a satellite network; or
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(iii) any other wireless technology.
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(b) "Cellphone" includes:
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(i) a smartphone;
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(ii) a feature phone;
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(iii) a mobile phone;
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(iv) a satellite phone; or
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(v) a personal digital assistant that incorporates capabilities similar to a smartphone,
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feature phone, mobile phone, or satellite phone.
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(c) "Classroom hours" means:
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(i) time during which a student receives scheduled, teacher-supervised instruction
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that occurs:
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(A) in a physical or virtual classroom setting;
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(B) during regular school operating hours; and
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(C) as part of an approved educational curriculum.
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(ii) "Classroom hours" does not include:
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(A) lunch periods;
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(B) recess;
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(C) transit time between classes;
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(D) study halls unless directly supervised by a qualified instructor;
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(E) after-school activities unless part of an approved extended learning program; or
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(F) independent study time occurring outside scheduled instruction.
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(d)(i) "Emerging technology" means any other device that has or will be able to act in
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place of or as an extension of an individual's cellphone.
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(ii) "Emerging technology" does not include school provided or required devices.
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(e) "Smart watch" means a wearable computing device that closely resembles a
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wristwatch or other time-keeping device with the capacity to act in place of or as an
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extension of an individual's cellphone.
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(f) "Smart watch" does not include a wearable device that can only:
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(i) tell time;
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(ii) monitor an individual's health informatics;
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(iii) receive and display notifications or information without the capability to
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respond; or
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(iv) track the individual's physical location.
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(2)(a) An LEA:
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(i) shall establish a policy that allows a student to use a cellphone, smart watch, or
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emerging technology:
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(A) to respond to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual;
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(B) to respond to a school-wide emergency;
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(C) to use the SafeUT Crisis Line described in Title 53B, Chapter 17, Part 12,
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SafeUT Crisis Line;
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(D) for a student's IEP or Section 504 accommodation plan; or
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(E) to address a medical necessity; and
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(ii) may establish a policy that provides for other circumstances when a student may
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use a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology.
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(b) An LEA may establish policies that:
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(i) extend restrictions on student use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging
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technologies to non-classroom hours during the school day, including:
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(A) lunch periods;
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(B) transition times between classes; and
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(C) other school-supervised activities; and
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(ii) impose additional limitations on the use of cellphones, smart watches, or
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emerging technologies beyond those required by this section.
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(3) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a student may not use a cellphone, smart watch, or
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emerging technology at a school during classroom hours.
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(4) The state board may create one or more model policies regarding when a student may
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use a student's cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology in a school during
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classroom hours consistent with this section.
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Section 1. Effective Date.
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This bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
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