A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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 study the use of mobile devices in elementary and secondary schools. This study will examine impacts on 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 funds help schools purchase secure containers and lockers to create environments free of student mobile devices. Participating schools must follow specific guidelines regarding communication and parental notification.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill authorizes $5,000,000 in grants to help local educational agencies purchase secure containers and lockers.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill funds a study by the Surgeon General to examine the effects of mobile devices on student learning and mental health.
- Scored +3
Would children be better off under this?
The bill aims to improve the learning environment and mental health of elementary and secondary school students by limiting mobile device use.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Information on student well-being: The Surgeon General will conduct a study to determine how mobile device use impacts student learning, academic achievement, educational outcomes, engagement, mental health, classroom instruction, and school climate or behavior (Section 3).
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Creation of device-free environments: The pilot program provides grants to help schools purchase secure containers and install lockers to create a school environment where student mobile devices are kept in a secure container controlled by a school administrator (Section 2 and Section 4).
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Support for specific student needs: The bill allows for exemptions so that mobile devices can still be used to monitor or treat health conditions, or by students who are children with disabilities or English learners for translation purposes (Section 4).
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Communication safeguards: Participating schools are required to have a communication system for staff and emergency responders, as well as a clear process for students to contact their parents (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on device use: The bill aims to create a "school environment free of mobile devices," which means student mobile devices would be kept in a secure container controlled by a school administrator during regular school hours, including lunch and free periods (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.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill authorizes $5,000,000 in grants to help local educational agencies purchase secure containers and lockers. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds a study by the Surgeon General to examine the effects of mobile devices on student learning and mental health.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill aims to improve the learning environment and mental health of elementary and secondary school students by limiting mobile device use. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides exemptions for English learners to use mobile devices for translation purposes. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill explicitly allows exemptions for students with disabilities to use mobile devices for health-related needs.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill directs the Surgeon General to study how mobile device use impacts student mental health.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill includes exemptions that allow students with disabilities to use mobile devices for health monitoring or treatment.
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania