SB 69: School Device Revisions - Utah

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the prohibition on student device use from just 'instructional time' to the entire 'school day,' including lunch and recess. It adds a new opt-out provision allowing parents to request exceptions for their children. The bill also reorganizes definitions, clarifies that 'school hours' includes all supervised times, and shifts the model policy creation authority to the state board.

Scope change

The scope of the prohibition was broadened to cover the entire school day rather than only instructional periods.

REQUIREMENT

The ban on cellphones and smartwatches now applies to the entire school day instead of just instructional time.

The state board is now authorized to create model policies regarding device use during the school day.

ELIGIBILITY

A new subsection allows parents to submit a written opt-out request to permit their child to use devices outside of instructional time.

DEFINITION

Definitions were reorganized to clearly distinguish between 'classroom hours' (instruction only) and 'school hours' (the entire day).

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes were made to the numbering and structure of the bill's subsections.

Amended 2/26/2026 13:02:102 → Substitute #1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the Utah cell phone ban from applying only during instructional time to covering the entire school day, including lunch and recess. It clarifies definitions of prohibited devices to include emerging technologies and smartwatches, while explicitly exempting basic medical and time-telling watches. The change significantly broadens school authority to restrict student device use outside of direct classroom instruction.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from prohibiting devices only during 'classroom hours' (instructional time) to prohibiting them during the entire 'school day', which now includes lunch, recess, and transition times.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Classroom hours' was removed and replaced with a new definition for 'School hours' that covers the entire day from start to end bell, including non-instructional times like lunch and recess.

New definitions were added for 'Emerging technology' (devices acting as extensions of cellphones) and 'Smart watch' (wearable computing devices), while exempting simple time-telling or health-monitoring devices.

REQUIREMENT

The prohibition on using cellphones, smartwatches, and emerging technology now applies to the entire school day rather than just during scheduled instruction.

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are now required to extend restrictions to non-classroom times like lunch and recess, whereas previously they only had to restrict use during instructional periods.

Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 13:02:102 → Amended 2/26/2026 13:02:102 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly tightens Utah's cell phone restrictions for students, shifting the default rule from prohibiting devices only during instructional time to prohibiting them for the entire school day. It redefines key terms like 'school hours' to include lunch, recess, and transitions, while expanding the definition of prohibited devices to include emerging technologies. The changes also introduce new requirements for schools to allow parents to request brief device use during non-instructional time and modify how local school districts can extend these restrictions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from covering only instructional periods to covering the entire school day, including lunch, recess, and transitions between classes.

DEFINITION

Redefined 'school hours' to include all time from the start to end of the school day, explicitly adding lunch, recess, and transition times.

Expanded the definition of prohibited devices to include 'emerging technology' and clarified that smart watches are included unless they are limited to basic functions like telling time or health monitoring.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for schools to establish a policy allowing parents to request brief accommodations for their student to use a device in a designated area during non-instructional time.

Changed the default rule for device use from 'prohibited during instructional time' to 'prohibited during the school day'.

Removed the option for local school districts to extend restrictions to non-classroom hours, as the prohibition now applies to the whole day by default.

Adjusted the language regarding local policies, changing 'may establish' to 'shall establish' for the parent accommodation policy.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 13:02:102 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill expanded the scope of device restrictions from only 'instructional time' to the entire 'school day,' including lunch and recess. It also added a specific requirement for school districts to create a policy allowing parents to request brief device use for their students during non-instructional times, while maintaining the ability for districts to impose additional restrictions.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was broadened to cover all school hours, not just times when classes are in session.

SCOPE

Changed the prohibition on student device use from applying only during 'classroom hours' (instructional time) to applying during the entire 'school day'.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to establish a policy allowing parents to request accommodations for brief device use during non-instructional time.

Reorganized the exceptions to the ban, clarifying that LEAs must allow specific uses (like emergencies or medical needs) but may also establish additional policies for other circumstances.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'school hours' to explicitly include lunch, recess, and transition times, whereas 'classroom hours' was defined more narrowly.

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MINOR

The bill expanded the prohibition on student device use from only 'instructional time' to the entire 'school day,' including lunch and recess. It also added new exceptions allowing parents to request brief device use in designated areas and requiring Local Education Agencies to create policies for these accommodations.

Scope change

The scope of the ban was broadened to cover all school hours rather than just times when teachers are instructing.

SCOPE

The ban on cellphones, smartwatches, and emerging technology now applies to the entire school day, including lunch periods, recess, and transition times, instead of just instructional time.

REQUIREMENT

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must now establish a policy allowing parents to request an accommodation for their student to briefly use a device in a specified area during non-instructional time.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the bill was changed from May 6, 2026, to July 1, 2026.

School Device Revisions

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