A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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 bill establishes the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program to provide grants to State educational agencies. These grants support public elementary and secondary schools in implementing personal electronic device policies that prohibit student possession or use during school hours. To be eligible, States must design policies in coordination with local agencies and in consultation with educators, parents, and students. The legislation mandates required exceptions for health conditions, disabilities, and special needs, while allowing optional exceptions for English learners and instructional needs. Grant funds are to be used for enforcing policies and acquiring secure storage methods for devices. Additionally, the bill outlines funding allocations and definitions for personal electronic devices and school hours.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill establishes grant programs to foster distraction-free learning environments in public schools while providing necessary health and disability-related exceptions for students.
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
The bill promotes distraction-free learning environments in public schools while safeguarding necessary device access for students with documented health and special needs.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill establishes the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program to provide federal grant funds to State educational agencies for implementing student electronic device policies and acquiring secure storage methods.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Students with health conditions requiring mobile phones or personal electronic devices as part of a treatment or monitoring plan are explicitly granted an exception under Section 4702(a)(1)(A), provided it is certified by a licensed healthcare provider.
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Students with disabilities or special needs who require access to a device are protected under Section 4702(a)(1)(B) when documented in an individualized education program or a Section 504 plan.
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Parents are ensured the ability to notify students regarding pick-up times and logistical issues through school personnel under the application requirements in Section 4703(2)(A).
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School personnel are authorized to communicate with parents and local emergency responders regarding time-sensitive matters as outlined in Section 4703(2)(B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Students are prohibited from possessing or using personal electronic devices in schools during school hours under the mandatory policy required by 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 children be better off under this? — The bill establishes grant programs to foster distraction-free learning environments in public schools while providing necessary health and disability-related exceptions for students. Would students be better off under this? — The bill promotes distraction-free learning environments in public schools while safeguarding necessary device access for students with documented health and special needs. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly mandates exceptions for students with disabilities or special needs who require access to a personal electronic device as documented in their IEP or Section 504 plan. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The legislation supports public elementary and secondary school environments designed to minimize electronic distractions for students.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill establishes the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program to provide federal grant funds to State educational agencies for implementing student electronic device policies and acquiring secure storage methods.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas