HB 5149 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING PHONE-FREE SCHOOLS.

HB 5149, effective July 1, 2026, prohibits students in Connecticut public schools (grades K-12) from possessing or using personal mobile electronic devices (like cell phones, tablets, or laptops) during the regular school day, except for students requiring device use for an individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. School boards must create policies covering device storage, discipline for violations, and exceptions for special needs accommodations. The bill also prohibits school districts from using social media as the sole method to communicate with families about school matters. This directly affects all K-12 public school students and school districts across Connecticut.

Issues: ✗ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ED Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify definitions and expand exceptions for mobile electronic devices in schools. The changes add specific language to allow devices for health reasons determined by medical professionals and update the list of allowed devices to include laptops and video game equipment. The bill also retains a prohibition on schools using social media as their only way to communicate with families.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's definition of 'mobile electronic device' was expanded to include laptops and video game equipment, and the scope of exemptions was broadened to include health-related needs.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'mobile electronic device' was updated to explicitly include laptops, video game equipment, and digital video disks.

The term 'paging device' was added to the definition of 'mobile electronic device' for consistency.

REQUIREMENT

New exemptions were added allowing students to use devices if a licensed physician or nurse determines it is necessary for the student's health and well-being.

The list of permitted uses for personal mobile electronic devices was expanded to include health and well-being needs determined by medical professionals.

TECHNICAL

Formatting changes were made to clarify that 'remotely activated' applies to the paging device and to update page headers.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

lower

10 primary · 0 co-sponsors