PRIA Logo™
119-s-5636119th CongressWALLET

Supporting Focus in Schools Act

Sponsored By: Senator Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

Introduced

Summary

Restricting student use of personal electronic devices during instructional time is the bill's central aim. It would create a competitive grant program run by the Secretary of Education to help eligible Title I schools adopt and enforce those device limits.

Show full summary
  • Students: Classrooms would generally be device-free during instruction, with explicit exceptions for health-related treatment or monitoring, individualized education program (IEP) accommodations, Section 504 accommodations, and emergencies.
  • Schools and teachers: Eligible schools that receive Title I funds could get grants to buy storage solutions like phone lockers or pouches and to fund professional development for staff on enforcing the policy.
  • Families: Families should expect policies that require students to store phones and other devices during class, and to provide documentation when health or disability exceptions apply.
  • Reporting and evaluation: Schools receiving grants must report to the Secretary within one year on the effects of the funded activities, including any observed impact on academic outcomes.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Help for Title I School Device Policies

If enacted, the bill would create a competitive grant program run by the Secretary of Education. Title I elementary and secondary schools that have a policy banning student personal electronic devices during instructional hours would be eligible. Grants would pay to buy storage equipment (for example, phone lockers or pouches) and to train teachers and staff. Schools must include their device policy in the grant application. Grant recipients would report to the Secretary within one year on funded activities and any effects, including academic outcomes. The policy would have to allow administrator‑approved exceptions for health treatment or monitoring, for students whose IEP or Section 504 accommodations require a device, and for emergencies. The bill defines personal electronic devices to include phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar devices. It would exclude a school‑authorized laptop or tablet only if it is used only for instruction and non‑academic apps (social media, personal email, messaging, texting, and similar apps) are blocked during school hours. The bill does not specify grant amounts or a total appropriation.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

AZ • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation