HB 340: Distraction-Free Education Act; enact

Right now, Georgia schools set their own rules on student phone and device use. House Bill 340, 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). It requires every local school system and public school to adopt written policies by January 1, 2026 that ban kindergarten through eighth grade students from accessing personal electronic devices during the entire school day, including breaks, transitions, and school-sponsored events. The bill defines personal electronic devices broadly to include smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, and headphones. Schools must set up storage methods, communication protocols for parents and emergencies, and a system of escalating consequences for violations. Students with a device requirement in an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan are exempt. The Department of Education must offer guidance, and schools cannot use existing waiver laws to get out of following this new rule.

• Bans kindergarten through eighth grade students from accessing personal electronic devices during the entire school day, from the first bell to the last, starting no later than July 1, 2026.
• Requires every local school system and public school to adopt written device policies by January 1, 2026 covering storage, off-campus events, and communication protocols.
• Requires schools to set up progressive discipline for violations, such as warnings, confiscation, and parental notification, tied to the existing student code of conduct.
• Exempts students whose IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan requires a device for medical or educational reasons.
• Blocks schools from using several existing waiver laws, including those for strategic waivers school systems and charter systems, to opt out of this device policy.
• Directs the Department of Education to provide guidance and technical support to help schools carry out the new rules.

Public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade and their parents or guardians, classroom teachers and school administrators who must enforce the new rules, local school boards and school systems that must write and monitor the policies, and the Department of Education, which must issue guidance.

Younger students would lose access to phones, smartwatches, and similar devices throughout the school day, changing how parents reach their kids during school hours and how schools handle emergencies, discipline, and device storage. Schools also lose the option to waive this requirement even under charter or strategic waiver status.

• Section 2 adds new Code Section 20-2-324.8 defining key terms such as 'personal electronic device,' 'bell-to-bell,' and 'school day,' setting the scope of what is restricted.
• Subsection (b) sets the core ban: no kindergarten through eighth grade student may access personal electronic devices during the school day starting no later than July 1, 2026.
• Subsection (c) requires local school systems and schools to adopt policies by January 1, 2026 covering device storage, off-site events, communication protocols, and progressive discipline.
• Subsection (d) exempts students whose IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan requires device use for medical or educational purposes.
• Subsection (e) requires schools to monitor and enforce compliance, inform families of the policy, and periodically review its effectiveness.
• Subsection (f) directs the Department of Education to provide guidance and technical support for implementation.
• Subsection (g) clarifies the law does not stop schools from providing their own equipment, like laptops or tablets, for educational use.
• Subsection (h) exempts this Code section from several existing school waiver laws, including those covering strategic waivers, charter systems, charter schools, and completion special schools.

1. 2025-07-01Effective Date
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-48)Primary sponsor
• Jan Jones (R, HD-47)
• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Carter Barrett (R, HD-24)
• Will Wade (R, HD-9)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-31)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2025

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

   PASSAGE: House Vote #185

2. FailedSenate voteMarch 25, 2025

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

   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 excused)

   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
• school policy
• student discipline
• K-8 education
• classroom distractions