UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Introduced
Summary
Limits student use of personal electronic devices during school hours and funds secure storage. This bill would create the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program to give state educational agencies (SEAs) grants to support public schools in implementing a personal electronic device policy that generally bans student possession or use of phones during school hours while allowing narrow, documented exceptions.
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- Families: Allows public schools and local districts to set up procedures so parents can contact students about forgotten items, pick-up changes, and other time-sensitive matters.
- Students: Preserves narrow exceptions for health needs certified by a licensed provider, students with disabilities covered by an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, and English learners or others with documented instructional needs.
- Schools and SEAs: SEAs would apply for funds and must use them to buy secure storage such as lockable lockers, secure lock boxes, magnetic pouches, or signal-blocking storage devices. Grants would be allotted based on each SEA's share of Title I, Part A funding with a 0.5 percent small-state minimum and unused funds reallotted.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants to help schools store phones
This bill would create a new grant program for state education agencies. Money would help public schools buy secure storage so students cannot access personal devices during school hours. Approved storage could include lockers, lock boxes, or signal‑blocking pouches. The Secretary would split funds using each state’s Title I share, with at least 0.5% for every state. If a state does not receive an allotment, its share would be reallotted to other states. Funding would depend on future appropriations and could be “such sums as may be necessary.”
Statewide phone-free school day rules
To get grants, states would need a policy that bans student possession or use of personal electronic devices in public schools during school hours. The policy would be made with local districts and after input from teachers, parents, and students. It would allow narrow exceptions: certified medical needs; access in an IEP or 504 plan; individualized exceptions for English learners or documented instructional needs; and other students as the state deems appropriate. Schools could set procedures so parents can send time‑sensitive messages through staff, and staff can reach parents. The bill would define covered devices and “school hours,” and it would not stop states or schools from adopting stricter rules. School‑authorized instructional devices would be allowed only if used for learning and blocked from non‑academic apps during school hours.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov