HB 1009: 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 law already required schools to stop kindergarten through eighth grade students from accessing phones and similar devices during the school day starting in 2026. This bill extends that same bell-to-bell restriction to high school students in grades nine through twelve, with schools required to implement it no later than July 1, 2027. The bill updates the definition of 'distraction-free education' so access is fully prohibited rather than just restricted, and removes e-readers from the list of covered personal electronic devices. It requires every local school system and public school to adopt (and revise yearly) policies covering device storage, off-site events like dual enrollment or apprenticeship programs, emergency communication protocols, and progressive discipline for violations. Students with an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan requiring device use are exempted. The law takes effect December 31, 2026.

• Extends the existing bell-to-bell personal electronic device ban, previously limited to kindergarten through eighth grade, to also cover grades nine through twelve by no later than July 1, 2027.
• Changes the definition of 'distraction-free education' from restricting to fully prohibiting student access to personal electronic devices.
• Removes e-readers from the legal definition of 'personal electronic device' covered by the restrictions.
• Requires local school systems and public schools to adopt device policies by January 1 each year, not just once by 2026, and to revise them as needed.
• Adds dual enrollment, work based learning, and apprenticeship programs to the list of off-site activities that must have clear device use procedures.
• Keeps an exception allowing students with an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan requiring device use to access their device as needed.

Public school students in grades nine through twelve and their parents, high school teachers and administrators, local school systems and boards of education that must write and enforce new policies, and students with IEPs, 504 Plans, or medical plans that require device use.

High school students would lose access to phones and similar devices for the entire school day starting in 2027, changing how they communicate with parents, participate in field trips or work based learning, and face discipline for violations, while schools must build new storage, monitoring, and communication systems.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8 so the existing device ban for kindergarten through eighth grade also applies to grades nine through twelve beginning no later than July 1, 2027.
• Section 1 requires local school systems and public schools to adopt and annually revise policies by January 1 of each year, covering device storage, discipline, and communication protocols.
• Section 1 expands required off-site procedures to explicitly include dual enrollment, work based learning, and apprenticeship programs, in addition to field trips and athletics.
• Section 1 preserves an exception for students whose IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan requires personal electronic device use.
• Section 1 states the Department of Education must provide guidance and technical support, and that the requirement cannot be waived under several charter and strategic waiver school provisions.
• Section 2 sets the law'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 (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-03-23Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2026-03-23Senate Third Read (Senado)
7. 2026-03-19Senate Read Second Time (Senado)
8. 2026-03-18Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)

• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)Patrocinador principal
• 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. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes24 de febrero de 2026

   145 a favor, 20 en contra (5 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #545

2. RechazadaVotación: Senado23 de marzo de 2026

   13 a favor, 38 en contra (2 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

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

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado23 de marzo de 2026

   52 a favor, 0 en contra (1 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage: Senate Vote #784

• school cell phone policy
• student device rules
• high school discipline
• education law
• classroom distractions