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District of ColumbiaB26-0073Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Heads Up! Distraction-Free Learning Amendment Act of 2025 (now known as "Disconnect Act of 2025")

Sponsored By: Brooke Pinto (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Schools must post device rules and alerts

LEAs must post device rules online at least 15 days before each school year. Mid-year changes must be posted 15 days before they start. Families must get the rules before the first day, and staff and volunteers must be told. Each school must explain how parents can reach a child and how it will send emergency messages, and must name where student devices are stored. Consequences must follow D.C. student discipline law. By March 1, 2026, the state education office shares a model policy to guide schools.

K-12 device ban with key exceptions

The law bans K-12 students from having a personal wireless device on their person during the full school day. A device in a backpack, purse, or other bag does not count as possessing. School-owned devices are not covered; the rule targets personal phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices. Schools may allow a device for an approved class use or for documented health needs; a licensed medical provider’s note must be on file.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brooke Pinto

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 34 • No: 2

House vote • 7/1/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 11 • No: 1

House vote • 7/1/2025

Other

Yes: 11 • No: 1

House vote • 6/3/2025

First Reading

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Law L26-0039, Effective from Sep 10, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 010163

    9/19/2025House

  2. Transmitted to Congress

    7/29/2025House

  3. Act A26-0113 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008159

    7/25/2025House

  4. Returned from Mayor

    7/22/2025House

  5. Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0113

    7/21/2025House

  6. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Jul 24, 2025

    7/10/2025House

  7. Legislative Meeting

    7/1/2025House

  8. Legislative Meeting

    6/3/2025House

  9. Committee Mark-up of B26-0073 by the Committee of the Whole

    5/13/2025House

  10. Public Hearing on B26-0073 View Public Hearing Record

    3/25/2025House

  11. Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register

    2/28/2025House

  12. Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Committee of the Whole

    2/24/2025House

  13. Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0073 Published in the District of Columbia Register

    2/7/2025House

  14. Referred to Committee of the Whole

    2/4/2025House

  15. B26-0073 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary

    1/27/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment

    7/1/2025

    PDF

  • Enrollment

    7/1/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossment

    6/3/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/27/2025

    PDF

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