SB 130 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Education - Student Personal Electronic Device Use Policy - Required

SB 130 requires all Maryland county school boards to create and enforce a policy banning student use of cellular devices (including smartphones and tablets) during instructional time, defined as the school day except lunch. The policy must mandate secure storage of devices and include disciplinary measures for violations, while allowing exceptions for students with documented health needs, IEP/504 accommodations, or educator-directed educational use. It affects all public school students, parents, and school staff in Maryland’s 24 county school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all county boards of education.

Issues: ✗ Education ✗ Technology

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Sep 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Sep 5, 2024 Last action Apr 7, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Device Use Policy - Established → Third - Education - Student Personal Electronic Device Use Policy - Required · 6 edits

MODERATE

SB 130 was expanded from a single policy on cellular devices to a broader policy covering all personal electronic devices. The bill now requires the State Department of Education to develop guidelines for student device use, while county boards must create policies limiting device use during school hours with specific exceptions for health needs, educational purposes, and documented accommodations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from only cellular devices to include all personal electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and other devices capable of connecting to networks.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for State Department of Education to develop guidelines for student personal electronic device use during school hours, including model policy options and considerations for different grade levels.

Added requirement for county boards to consult with parents, teachers, students, and school personnel when developing device use policies.

Added requirement that policies be printed in student handbooks, provided to school staff, and reviewed and updated every 2 years.

Added requirement for the department to periodically update guidelines in collaboration with stakeholders.

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'personal electronic device' to include smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and other devices capable of connecting to networks.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provision for the department to collect information on county boards' device policies and use it to develop best practices and inform periodic reviews.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2025

How they voted

42–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 46

Feb 28, 2025

D Democratic33

30 Yea 3

90% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 23, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (138-0-1)

house of delegates

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Ways and Means

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (42-0-4)

senate

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Sep 5, 2024

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

9 primary · 0 co-sponsors