(a) As used in this section:(1) “Emergency” means a serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation that requires immediate action, including without limitation:(A) An active fire;(B) An active tornado or earthquake;(C) An active shooter;(D) An evacuation of school grounds; or(E) A medical emergency;(2) “Personal electronic device” means without limitation a:(A) Cellular telephone;(B) Paging device;(C) Beeper;(D) Mobile telephone that offers advanced computing and internet accessibility;(E) Digital media player;(F) Portable game console;(G) Tablet, notebook, or laptop computer;(H) Digital camera;(I) Digital video or audio recorder;(J) Smart watch; and(K) Device that can connect and transmit data through Bluetooth technology; and(3) “School day” means from the time students are required to be at school until the time students are dismissed from school.
(1) “Emergency” means a serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation that requires immediate action, including without limitation:(A) An active fire;(B) An active tornado or earthquake;(C) An active shooter;(D) An evacuation of school grounds; or(E) A medical emergency;
(A) An active fire;
(B) An active tornado or earthquake;
(C) An active shooter;
(D) An evacuation of school grounds; or
(E) A medical emergency;
(2) “Personal electronic device” means without limitation a:(A) Cellular telephone;(B) Paging device;(C) Beeper;(D) Mobile telephone that offers advanced computing and internet accessibility;(E) Digital media player;(F) Portable game console;(G) Tablet, notebook, or laptop computer;(H) Digital camera;(I) Digital video or audio recorder;(J) Smart watch; and(K) Device that can connect and transmit data through Bluetooth technology; and
(A) Cellular telephone;
(B) Paging device;
(C) Beeper;
(D) Mobile telephone that offers advanced computing and internet accessibility;
(E) Digital media player;
(F) Portable game console;
(G) Tablet, notebook, or laptop computer;
(H) Digital camera;
(I) Digital video or audio recorder;
(J) Smart watch; and
(K) Device that can connect and transmit data through Bluetooth technology; and
(3) “School day” means from the time students are required to be at school until the time students are dismissed from school.
(b) (1) By the 2025-2026 school year, each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall establish a policy and exemptions concerning the possession and use by a student of a personal electronic device during the school day:(A) On school property; and(B) At a school-related function.(2) Each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall submit its policy and exemptions concerning the possession and use by a student of a personal electronic device required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for review and approval or disapproval.
(1) By the 2025-2026 school year, each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall establish a policy and exemptions concerning the possession and use by a student of a personal electronic device during the school day:(A) On school property; and(B) At a school-related function.
(A) On school property; and
(B) At a school-related function.
(2) Each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall submit its policy and exemptions concerning the possession and use by a student of a personal electronic device required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for review and approval or disapproval.
(c) The policy shall, without limitation:(1) Restrict the possession of a personal electronic device during the school day;(2) Prohibit the use of a personal electronic device during the school day;(3) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device by a student who is required to use such a device for health reasons;(4) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device after a school day for extracurricular activities;(5) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device during an emergency; and(6) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device during the school day if the personal electronic device is issued to a student by a public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school for use during the school day.
(1) Restrict the possession of a personal electronic device during the school day;
(2) Prohibit the use of a personal electronic device during the school day;
(3) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device by a student who is required to use such a device for health reasons;
(4) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device after a school day for extracurricular activities;
(5) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device during an emergency; and
(6) Exempt the possession or use of a personal electronic device during the school day if the personal electronic device is issued to a student by a public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school for use during the school day.
(d) (1) A policy adopted and implemented under this section may include an exemption of the possession or use of a personal electronic device by a student during a special event that occurs during the school day.(2) The division shall promulgate rules defining what constitutes a special event that occurs during the school day.
(1) A policy adopted and implemented under this section may include an exemption of the possession or use of a personal electronic device by a student during a special event that occurs during the school day.
(2) The division shall promulgate rules defining what constitutes a special event that occurs during the school day.
(e) A policy adopted and implemented under this section shall not prohibit a student from using a personal electronic device during the school day if the use of the personal electronic device is:(1) Included in the student's:(A) Individualized education program developed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., as it existed on January 1, 2025; or(B) Plan developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, as it existed on January 1, 2025; or(2) Required for a student who is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course at an institution of higher education in order to utilize two-factor authentication to access course work and resources for the endorsed concurrent enrollment course.
(1) Included in the student's:(A) Individualized education program developed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., as it existed on January 1, 2025; or(B) Plan developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, as it existed on January 1, 2025; or
(A) Individualized education program developed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., as it existed on January 1, 2025; or
(B) Plan developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, as it existed on January 1, 2025; or
(2) Required for a student who is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course at an institution of higher education in order to utilize two-factor authentication to access course work and resources for the endorsed concurrent enrollment course.
(f) Each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall publish on its website its personal electronic device policy required under this section before the first day of the school year each year.
(g) A public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school that fails to adopt or enforce the personal electronic device policy required under this section, as determined by the division, shall be cited for a violation of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts.
(h) A public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school shall not be liable for a personal electronic device that is confiscated under the public school district's or open-enrollment public charter school's personal electronic device policy required under this section if the personal electronic device is lost, stolen, or damaged.
(i) The division shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this section, including without limitation rules that:(1) Govern the process for monitoring compliance with this section; and(2) Establish the process for approving or disapproving a policy submitted to the division by a public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school as required under subdivision (b)(2) of this section.
(1) Govern the process for monitoring compliance with this section; and
(2) Establish the process for approving or disapproving a policy submitted to the division by a public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school as required under subdivision (b)(2) of this section.