Pennsylvania schools must implement restrictions on student cellphone possession and use throughout the school day by the start of the 2027–28 school year under legislation Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Oct. 26 at Lenape Middle School in Doylestown.
The requirements include lunch, recess and passing periods and cover public, charter, cyber charter and private schools, according to the signing announcement published by state Sen. Steve Santarsiero’s office.
That will change the rules at Central Bucks High School West. Its current cellphone policy allows use between classes and during Lunch and Learn, except in restrooms. During instructional periods, phones must be off and stored in classroom pockets or lockers unless a teacher authorizes educational use.
The new law does not require schools to take physical possession of phones. Exceptions cover documented medical needs, disability and special education accommodations, English-language learning devices and limited, approved instructional purposes, the signing announcement says.
Schools must publish their policies, allow public input and tell parents how emergency communication will work.
Lenape already requires phones to remain off and away all day. At the signing, Central Bucks Superintendent Joanna Wexler said the district would continue discussing the new expectations with students, staff and parents.
Senate Bill 1014, sponsored by Sen. Devlin Robinson, passed the House 141–62 and Senate 47–3, according to the announcement.
