HB340: HB340 Distraction-Free Education Act; enact

Georgia does not currently have a statewide requirement limiting student use of personal electronic devices like smartphones during the school day. This bill, called the "Distraction-Free Education Act," changes that by adding a new section to Georgia's education code (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8). By January 1, 2026, every local school system and public school must adopt policies banning "bell-to-bell" access to personal electronic devices for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, meaning no access from the first bell to the last bell of the school day. Schools must set up storage methods, rules for field trips and off-campus events, communication protocols for parents, and progressive discipline for violations. Students with a device requirement in an IEP, Section 504 plan, or medical plan are exempt. The ban itself takes effect no later than July 1, 2026, and schools cannot get waivers from it even if they otherwise qualify as charter systems or strategic waiver systems.

• Bans personal electronic device access, including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and headphones, for K-8 public school students during the entire school day starting July 1, 2026.
• Requires every local school system and public school to adopt written policies and procedures on device use by January 1, 2026, including storage methods and discipline steps.
• Exempts students whose IEP, Section 504 plan, or medical plan requires use of a personal electronic device for medical or educational reasons.
• Requires schools to set communication protocols so parents contact the school directly, rather than the student's device, during emergencies or other needs.
• Directs the Department of Education to give schools guidance and technical support on implementing the new rules.
• Blocks schools from using existing waiver laws (for charter systems, charter schools, strategic waiver systems, and completion special schools) to get out of this requirement.

Public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade, their parents and guardians, local school systems and public schools that must write and enforce new policies, school personnel who monitor compliance, and the Department of Education, which must provide guidance.

Families and schools would see a concrete shift in daily routines: K-8 students could no longer keep phones or smartwatches accessible during the school day, parents would have to call the school office instead of a child's device, and schools would need new storage systems and discipline procedures to enforce the ban.

• Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8, defining terms like 'bell-to-bell,' 'personal electronic device,' and 'distraction-free education.'
• Subsection (b) bans K-8 student access to personal electronic devices during the school day starting no later than July 1, 2026.
• Subsection (c) requires schools to adopt policies by January 1, 2026 covering device storage, off-site event rules, parent communication protocols, and progressive discipline.
• Subsection (d) exempts students whose IEP, Section 504 plan, or medical plan mandates device use.
• Subsection (e) requires schools to monitor compliance, inform families through handbooks and websites, and periodically review the policies' effectiveness.
• Subsection (f) directs the Department of Education to provide implementation guidance and technical support to schools.
• Subsection (g) clarifies schools may still provide school-owned equipment like laptops and tablets for educational use.
• Subsection (h) bars this requirement from being waived under several existing charter and strategic waiver system laws.

1. 2025-05-09Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-09Act 74
3. 2025-05-09House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-25Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-21Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)Primary sponsor
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Carter Barrett (R, HD-024)
• Will Wade (R, HD-009)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2025

   143 yea, 29 nay (2 not voting, 6 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #185

2. FailedSenate voteMarch 25, 2025

   23 yea, 32 nay (1 not voting, 0 absent)

   Adoption Of Amend #1a By Sen From The 7th To Amend #1 By Sen From The 7th: Senate Vote #287

3. FailedSenate voteMarch 25, 2025

   15 yea, 39 nay (2 not voting, 0 absent)

   Adoption Of Amendment #1 By The Senator From The 7th: Senate Vote #288

4. PassedSenate voteMarch 25, 2025

   54 yea, 2 nay

   Passage: Senate Vote #289

• cell phones in schools
• student device policy
• K-8 education
• school discipline
• Georgia education law