A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Focus on Learning Act directs the Surgeon General to conduct a study on mobile device use in elementary and secondary schools. This study will look at how these devices impact student learning, mental health, and school climate. Additionally, the bill establishes a pilot program where the Secretary of Education awards grants to local educational agencies. These grants help schools purchase secure containers and lockers to create environments free of student mobile devices during school hours. The program includes specific requirements for communication systems and parental notification.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +2
Would children be better off under this?
The focus on mobile device impact could help improve learning environments for children.
- Scored +2
Would students be better off under this?
The bill directly focuses on student learning and environment.
- Scored +1
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Exemptions in the pilot program for students with disabilities could benefit them.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved understanding of student needs: The Surgeon General will conduct a study to examine the impact of mobile devices on student learning, academic achievement, educational outcomes, engagement, mental health, classroom instruction, and school climate (Section 3).
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Creation of device-free environments: The pilot program provides grants for schools to purchase secure containers and lockers to facilitate a school environment free of mobile devices (Section 4).
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Health and accessibility protections: The bill allows for exemptions so that mobile devices can still be used to monitor or treat health conditions, by children with disabilities, or by English learners for translation purposes (Section 4).
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Safety and communication standards: Participating schools must have a communication system for staff to contact each other and emergency responders, as well as a clear process for students to contact their parents (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased restrictions on device use: Under the pilot program, schools may implement policies where student mobile devices are kept in secure containers controlled by a school administrator during school hours (Section 2 and Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The focus on mobile device impact could help improve learning environments for children. Would students be better off under this? — The bill directly focuses on student learning and environment. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Exemptions in the pilot program for students with disabilities could benefit them.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The study on mobile device use in schools could lead to insights on its impact on student mental health.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The pilot program includes exemptions for students with disabilities, potentially improving their access to necessary devices.
- 9/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Kelly MorrisonDemocrat · Minnesota
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Pete StauberRepublican · Minnesota