PRIA Logo™
WashingtonSB 53462025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Restricting mobile device usage by public school students.

Sponsored By: Marko Liias (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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

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

More guidance on student device use

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington’s state education office must maintain online resources on responsible technology use, media literacy, and internet safety. These must include student device-use research, recommended teaching strategies, and open educational resources, with balanced media-literacy sources and views. By December 15, 2027, the office must report to lawmakers on school device policies in Washington and other states. The report must cover barriers to putting policies in place and research-based advice supporting learning, healthy relationships, and emotional well-being. It must include student input and advice on teaching responsible device use; the reporting requirement expires June 30, 2028.

Schools can limit students’ personal devices

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington public school boards can limit students’ possession and use of personal devices during instructional hours. Covered devices include pagers, personal phones, and portable devices used for calls, messages, games, or videos; school-issued learning devices are excluded. Districts choose whether to adopt limits, and boards are encouraged—not required—to review state guidance. The law supports all-day phone policies by 2030 as a goal, not a statewide mandate. It sets no household fees, device-purchase requirement, or specific penalties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Curtis King

    Republican • Senate

  • Deborah Krishnadasan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Salomon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Lovick

    Democratic • Senate

  • Leonard Christian

    Republican • Senate

  • Noel Frame

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Harris

    Republican • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 50

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 43 • No: 4 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/4/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 63 • No: 34 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 37 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/25/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 225, 2026 Laws.

    3/25/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/25/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/10/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 43; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/9/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 63; nays, 34; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/4/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/4/2026Senate

  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    2/23/2026Senate

  15. ED - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/23/2026Senate

  16. ED - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/23/2026Senate

  17. First reading, referred to Education.

    2/14/2026Senate

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/11/2026Senate

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/11/2026Senate

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/11/2026Senate

  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/10/2026Senate

  22. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/4/2026Senate

  23. EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/4/2026Senate

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/4/2026Senate

  25. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

    1/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation