HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would require all public schools in the state to prohibit student cellphone use throughout the entire school day.

Senate Bill 1014, which passed with bipartisan support, establishes a "bell-to-bell" restriction. This policy differs from existing rules in many schools that only ban phones during active instruction. Under the new bill, students would be prohibited from using mobile devices during lunch, recess, and the time spent moving between classes.

The proposal aims to reduce classroom distractions and improve student academic performance. Supporters also cited a need to address youth mental health concerns, including anxiety and cyberbullying linked to social media use.

"Our classrooms should be places for learning, not constant notifications," said Sen. Devlin Robinson, one of the bill's primary sponsors.

The legislation requires school boards to adopt these policies no later than the start of the 2027-2028 school year. While the bill sets a statewide standard, local districts would maintain control over how to enforce the rules and where students must store their devices during the day.

The bill includes several specific exceptions to the ban. Students with documented medical conditions or individualized education programs that require a device would still be permitted to use them. Other exceptions include English language learners using devices for translation, limited instructional use approved by a principal, and special one-day events like field days.

Schools would also be required to provide parents with specific ways to contact their children during the day, such as a staffed office phone or email address. Information on emergency notifications must also be provided to families.

Data provided during the legislative process indicated that nearly half of U.S. teens report experiencing cyberbullying. Proponents noted that a high percentage of students have expressed a desire for school-day phone restrictions to help manage social pressures.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union, announced its support for the measure last fall. Pennsylvania would join 28 other states that have implemented some form of student cellphone restrictions if the bill becomes law.

Following the Senate's approval, the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Members of the House will review the legislation and may choose to vote on it as written or suggest further changes. If the House passes the bill without changes, it will be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro. The governor, who has expressed support for the policy, would then have the option to sign the bill into law or veto it.