HB 1814 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, providing for bell-to-bell mobile device policy.

HB 1814 requires Pennsylvania public school students to store cell phones securely during the school day - either in a lockbox or a locked case - while in school buildings. The bill directly affects all public school students, with exceptions for those in volunteer fire/rescue groups or needing phones for immediate family medical emergencies (with principal approval). Schools must update their written policies to implement these rules, subject to approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Aug 20, 2025 Last action Jun 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN3291 → Printer's No. PN3372 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to modernize the language and broaden the scope of the mobile device policy. The primary change shifts the requirement from a strict 'lockbox' mandate to a more flexible policy allowing schools to decide how to restrict device possession. Additionally, the effective date was accelerated from 60 days to 'immediately,' and the definition of 'school day' was expanded to include all instructional and non-instructional times.

Scope change

The applicability of the policy was broadened by changing the definition of 'school day' to include all times during the school day, not just instructional periods, and by clarifying that the policy applies to all mobile devices regardless of ownership.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the mandatory requirement for students to deposit phones in a lockbox; schools now have the discretion to adopt a policy on how to restrict possession.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from '60 days' to 'immediately' and updated the implementation deadline to the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'school day' to include all instructional and non-instructional time, such as lunch and recess, rather than just instructional periods.

Added specific definitions for 'policy', 'principal', and 'nonpublic school' to clarify administrative roles and applicability.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that school employees are not liable for damaged or lost devices if they act in good faith to secure them according to the adopted policy.

Printer's No. PN2231 → Printer's No. PN3291 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly amended to expand the number of sponsors and update the bill's title to reflect a new 'Bell-to-Bell' mobile device policy. The core policy requirements were shifted from an immediate mandate to a phased implementation, requiring school districts to adopt new mobile device rules by the start of the 2027-2028 school year. The updated text provides detailed guidelines on how devices must be secured, establishes specific exceptions for medical needs, English learners, and educational purposes, and defines the roles of principals and superintendents in managing these policies.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a broader list of sponsors and formally renamed to emphasize the 'Bell-to-Bell' policy framework. Applicability remains consistent for all school entities, but the timeline for compliance was extended.

TIMELINE

The deadline for schools to adopt mobile device policies was changed from an immediate or unspecified date to the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

REQUIREMENT

New detailed requirements were added for how students must secure their phones (locking mechanism capable of being carried) and for written notifications to parents regarding emergency contacts.

ELIGIBILITY

Specific exceptions were created allowing mobile device use for students with medical conditions, those with IEPs or 504 plans, English learners, and for limited educational purposes approved by teachers.

DEFINITION

A comprehensive list of legal definitions was added, clarifying terms such as 'Mobile Device', 'School Entity', 'Principal', and 'School Day'.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions were added to outline the process for principals to request short-term exceptions and the requirement for schools to post policies online and submit verification to the Department of Education.

TECHNICAL

The effective date of the act was changed from 60 days to 'immediately', though the specific policy mandates remain delayed until 2027-2028.

Floor votes · House Jun 1, 2026

How they voted

126–75

Passed

Total votes 201

Jun 1, 2026

D Democratic102

82 Yea 20 Nay

80% Yea

R Republican99

44 Yea 55 Nay

55% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 5, 2026

Committee

Referred to Education

upper

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

lower

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

May 6, 2026

Committee

Re-committed to Appropriations

lower

Apr 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported as amended

lower

Aug 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

lower

1 primary · 17 co-sponsors