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119-hr-2700119th CongressWALLET

UNPLUGGED Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Introduced

Summary

Would ban the possession or use of personal electronic devices by students in public school classrooms during school hours. It sets a national minimum standard, defines covered devices, and creates a grant program to help buy and run secure storage and related training.

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  • Students and families: Students would be prevented from using phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar devices during instruction. Exceptions are allowed for medical needs, individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 accommodations, English learners with documented needs, and other locally approved situations.
  • State and local education agencies: State educational agencies would have to adopt the required policy by the first school year after enactment and implement it in coordination with local agencies, educators, parents, and students. The Department of Education would run a grant program to fund secure storage, infrastructure, and training for schools.
  • Schools and classrooms: The law would define covered devices and exclude school-authorized laptops or tablets used only for instruction when those devices are restricted from social media, personal email, messaging, or other non-academic apps. Secure storage options listed include lockable lockers, lock boxes, magnetic pouches, and signal-blocking devices.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Grants for secure device storage

The Department of Education would run a grant program for states. Money could pay for lockers, lock boxes, magnetic pouches, or other secure storage, plus training and related systems. States would need to apply to get funds. This could help schools cover the cost of safely storing student devices.

Phone-free school day for students

This bill would require every state education agency to ban student possession or use of personal electronic devices in public schools during school hours. The rule would need to be in place by the first school year that starts after the bill becomes law. Covered devices would include phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar wearables or handhelds. School‑authorized laptops or tablets could be used for class only if locked to schoolwork, under teacher supervision, and blocked from social media, personal email, and messaging during instructional time. States and districts could adopt stricter rules than this baseline, and each state would set the start and end of school hours.

Device exceptions for student needs

The bill would let schools allow exceptions to the device ban. A student could use a device if a doctor certifies a medical need. If an IEP or a 504 plan says a device is needed, that would be allowed. English learners or students with a documented instructional need could also get permission under state procedures. States and districts could add other needed exceptions.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 7/16/2025

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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