HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania Senate’s Education Committee unanimously advanced a bill that would require all Pennsylvania schools to implement a “bell-to-bell” ban of smartphones by the start of the 2027-28 school year.
Allegheny Republican state Sen. Devlin Robinson said his bill would remove one of the biggest distractions in schools and educational settings.
“As adults, we know how difficult it is not to pick up our phones during meetings and other inopportune times,” he said. “Imagine how difficult it is for children who are still developing self control.”
Robinson’s bill would require all schools to implement a “bell-to-bell” ban of phones no later than the 2027-28 school year, allowing exceptions for students with medical conditions, disabilities, or individualized education plans.
The bill’s co-sponsor, Bucks County Democrat — and former Bensalem High School teacher — state Sen. Steve Santarsiero said he noticed, even before smartphones, kids would focus on their phones rather than those around them.
“This is not only about learning the curriculum that we teach our kids, but it's also about socialization,” he said. “It's about learning how to develop relationships with other people, and that's a critical part of our education system too.”
While the bill advanced out of committee in a unanimous vote, several members said they had concerns they hoped would be addressed before it goes up for final passage, including a one-size-fits-all plan stepping on schools’ existing policies that work well after being fine-tuned over several years.
Republican state Sen. Dawn Keefer said she was a “reluctant yes” in committee, noting the bill would give exceptions for students who have a 504 plan and need accommodations for physical or mental needs.
“I can see everybody trying to get enrolled in some plan to have the exception to have the phone,” said Keefer. “It's going to be a little bit weedy there.”
The state Senate is back in session on Jan. 6.