Focus on Learning Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a 5 million dollar pilot program to help schools become phone-free. Schools can use grant money to buy secure containers or lockers where students must keep their personal phones and devices during the school day.
• The Surgeon General would lead a two-year study to see how phones in class affect grades, mental health, and student behavior. This study will use data from the schools that participate in the new phone-free pilot program.
• Schools that join the program must have a way for teachers to contact emergency workers and a clear plan for how students can reach their parents. They must also talk to parents and teachers before applying for the money.
• There are exceptions for students who need their phones for medical reasons, students with disabilities, and students who are learning English and need a device for translation.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.