Pupils: use of smartphones: prohibition: report.

The date when the general smartphone policy (Section 48901.7(a)(1)) narrows to apply only to grades 9 through 12 was delayed from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2028.

The deadline for school districts, county boards of education, and charter schools serving transitional kindergarten through grade 8 to adopt a bell-to-bell smartphone ban policy was delayed from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2028.

The deadline for the State Department of Education to submit its report on local smartphone policies to the Legislature was delayed from January 1, 2028 to January 1, 2029.

The sunset date for the reporting requirement (Section 33319.2) was extended from January 1, 2032 to January 1, 2033.

The bill now differentiates by grade level. Starting July 1, 2027, the outright smartphone prohibition applies only to pupils in transitional kindergarten through grade 8. For grades 9-12, the requirement remains a policy to 'limit or prohibit' use, with governing boards 'strongly encouraged' (not required) to adopt a full bell-to-bell ban.

The old version's separate Section 48901.9 (which would have imposed a uniform bell-to-bell ban on all pupils starting July 1, 2027) is no longer added as a standalone section. Its content is folded into the restructured Section 48901.7 with grade-level differentiation.

For TK through grade 8, the new policy must include at least one method for parents and guardians to contact their pupils while smartphones are prohibited during the schoolday. Instruction in those grades shall not require the use of a smartphone by a pupil.

Any policy adopted under the restructured Section 48901.7 must be included in the pupil handbook, if one is provided by the local educational agency.

A new exception allows pupils to possess or use a smartphone when required under a plan developed pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, expanding beyond the previously listed IEP exception.

A new Section 33319.8 requires the State Department of Education to examine smartphone policies of at least 30 local educational agencies representative of the state's demographic and geographic diversity, survey them on stakeholder input, enforcement methods, and challenges, and submit a report with recommended best practices to the Legislature by January 1, 2028. This provision sunsets on January 1, 2032.

The old version's provision allowing ongoing monitoring and auditing by the State Department of Education for compliance with Section 48901.9 is removed. It is replaced by the one-time reporting requirement in new Section 33319.8.

The standalone legislative intent section stating the Legislature's intent to enact subsequent legislation imposing a bell-to-bell restriction is removed, as the bill now directly imposes the restriction for TK-Grade 8.

The fiscal committee vote changed from 'no' to 'yes,' acknowledging a fiscal impact from the new reporting and policy requirements.

The bill changed from a non-binding statement of legislative intent into actual amendments to the Education Code (Sections 48901.7 and new Section 48901.9), making it enforceable law rather than aspirational language.

New Section 48901.9 requires school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to adopt a policy that prohibits (not merely limits) smartphone use by pupils at schoolsites or under LEA supervision, with a deadline of July 1, 2027. The stated goal is an explicit bell-to-bell ban.

Existing Section 48901.7 was amended to add a goal statement about evidence-based smartphone practices, require significant stakeholder participation in policy development, and allow enforcement mechanisms that limit access to smartphones.

Four exceptions were added where pupils may still possess or use a smartphone: (1) emergencies or perceived threats not addressed in a school safety plan, (2) when a teacher or administrator grants permission, (3) when a licensed physician determines it is necessary for health or well-being, and (4) when required by an individualized education program.

The State Department of Education was given authority to monitor and audit local educational agencies for compliance with the new prohibition policy, and LEAs must make their adopted policies available to the department upon request.

A privacy protection clause was added stating that neither section authorizes monitoring, collecting, or otherwise accessing information related to a pupil's online activities.

The amended Section 48901.7 becomes inoperative on July 1, 2027 and is repealed as of January 1, 2028, effectively being replaced by the new Section 48901.9 prohibition policy.

A state mandate reimbursement provision was added (Section 3), requiring the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by the bill if the Commission on State Mandates determines such costs exist. The fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes' and state-mandated local program changed from 'no' to 'yes'.

Co-authors were added: Assembly Members Hoover, Lowenthal, and Wicks, plus Senator Niello as a Senate coauthor.