HB1009: HB1009 Education; enact policies and procedures for use of personal electronic devices at school and school sponsored events by students in grades nine through twelve; require local school systems

Georgia already restricts personal electronic devices like smartphones and smartwatches for students in kindergarten through eighth grade during the school day. This bill extends that 'distraction-free education' requirement to high school students in grades nine through twelve, with the ban on device access taking effect no later than July 1, 2027. Each local school system and public school must adopt written policies by January 1 each year covering how devices are stored, how parents can reach students in an emergency, rules for field trips and off-campus activities, and a system of escalating discipline for violations. Students whose Individualized Education Program, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan requires a device are exempt. The Department of Education must provide implementation guidance, and the law takes effect December 31, 2026.

• Extends Georgia's ban on student access to personal electronic devices during the bell-to-bell school day to grades nine through twelve, effective no later than July 1, 2027.
• Requires every local school system and public school to adopt yearly policies by January 1 covering device storage, off-campus activities, and emergency communication protocols.
• Sets a required system of progressive discipline for violations, including verbal warnings, device confiscation, and parental notification.
• Exempts students whose IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan requires a personal electronic device for medical or educational needs.
• Requires the Department of Education to provide guidance and technical support to schools implementing the policies.
• Blocks schools from using several existing waiver provisions (such as strategic waivers or charter system waivers) to opt out of this device policy requirement.

Public school students in grades nine through twelve and their parents, teachers and school staff who must enforce the new rules, local school boards and school systems that must write and adopt policies, and the Georgia Department of Education, which must issue implementation guidance.

High schoolers who currently carry phones during class would lose that access during the school day starting in 2027, changing daily routines for students, teachers enforcing storage rules, and parents used to reaching kids directly rather than through the school office in emergencies.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8 to extend the device access ban from students in kindergarten through eighth grade to also cover grades nine through twelve, effective no later than July 1, 2027.
• Subsection (c) requires local school systems and public schools to adopt annual policies by January 1 covering storage methods, off-site event procedures, and communication protocols for emergencies and parent contact.
• Subsection (c)(5) requires progressive discipline for violations under each school's code of conduct, ranging from verbal warnings to device confiscation and parental notification.
• 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 compliance, inform families of the policies through handbooks and websites, and periodically review effectiveness.
• Subsection (h) exempts this Code section from several existing waiver authorities, including those for strategic waivers, charter systems, charter schools, and completion special schools.
• Section 2 sets the Act's effective date as December 31, 2026.

1. 2026-05-05Effective Date 2026-12-31
2. 2026-05-05Act 395
3. 2026-05-05House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-23Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-23Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2026-03-19Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2026-03-18Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)Primary sponsor
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 24, 2026

   145 yea, 20 nay (5 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #545

2. FailedSenate voteMarch 23, 2026

   13 yea, 38 nay (2 not voting, 1 absent)

   Adoption Of Amendment #1 By The Senator From The 38th: Senate Vote #783

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 23, 2026

   52 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #784

• school cell phone policy
• public schools
• student discipline
• education law
• classroom technology