A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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
This bill proposes to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program. The program aims to award grants to State educational agencies to help public schools implement policies that prohibit students from possessing or using personal electronic devices during school hours. To receive these funds, states must have a policy in place developed alongside local agencies, educators, parents, and students. The grants are intended to fund the acquisition of secure storage methods for these devices. The bill also outlines specific exceptions for health, disabilities, and certain instructional needs.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill includes explicit accommodations for students with disabilities and special needs.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill establishes a grant program to provide funds to state educational agencies for school policies and secure storage.
- Scored +5
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill provides specific exceptions and accommodations for students with disabilities and special needs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Funding for Secure Storage: State educational agencies can use grant funds to acquire secure storage methods, such as lockable lockers or magnetic pouches, to keep devices safe (Section 4704).
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Health and Disability Protections: The bill allows exceptions for students who need a mobile phone or personal electronic device for health conditions certified by a healthcare provider (Section 4702(a)(1)).
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Special Needs Support: Students with disabilities or special needs can retain access to devices if it is documented in an individualized education program or a Section 504 plan (Section 4702(a)(2)).
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Communication Provisions: The bill ensures that school policies can still allow parents to notify students about forgotten items or changes in pick-up times through school personnel (Section 4703(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction of Personal Device Use: The policy requires a prohibition on student possession or use of personal electronic devices during school hours (Section 4702(a)).
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Requirements for State Agencies: To be eligible, a State educational agency must implement a specific policy that applies to each public school served by its local educational agencies (Section 4702(a)).
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes explicit accommodations for students with disabilities and special needs. Would children be better off under this? — The bill aims to create a distraction-free learning environment for students in public schools. Would students be better off under this? — The bill seeks to improve the learning environment by reducing electronic distractions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill establishes a grant program to provide funds to state educational agencies for school policies and secure storage.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill provides specific exceptions and accommodations for students with disabilities and special needs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill uses federal grant authority to influence state educational agency policies regarding device use.
- 6/12/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia