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119-s-404119th CongressWALLET

Focus on Learning Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

Introduced

Summary

Creates school environments free of personal mobile devices by studying their effects and funding a pilot to help schools lock up students' phones. The Surgeon General would study how mobile device use affects learning, academic outcomes, classroom instruction, and student mental health, while the Department of Education would run a pilot to give grants for secure containers and lockers.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Nationwide study on student phones

This bill would require the Surgeon General, with HHS, to do a nationwide study on K–12 student mobile device use. The study would be due not later than 2 years after enactment. It would look at learning, engagement, mental health, teaching, and school climate. The Surgeon General would analyze pilot program data, report to Congress, and make the report public.

Grants for school phone lockers

The bill would create a pilot grant program for local school districts to buy secure containers and install lockers so schools keep students' personal phones in a secure container controlled by an administrator during school hours. It would authorize $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Up to 2 percent of funds could pay for administration, data collection, and the Surgeon General study. LEAs would need to notify parents at least 30 days before applying and when they get a grant. Applications must include assurances on community engagement, emergency communication, parent contact, and current and new phone policies. Schools could allow exceptions for health monitoring, children with disabilities, and English learner translation.

Clear definitions for phone rules

The bill would define key terms for the pilot and study. A "mobile device" would mean a personal phone or portable device used to call, message, play games, or watch video. School-issued devices would be excluded. A "school environment free of mobile devices" would mean students' devices are kept in a secure container controlled by a school administrator. "School hours" would include class time, lunch, free periods on school grounds, and time between classes. It would also use ESEA definitions for terms like "child with a disability" and "English learner."

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

AR • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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