On April 11, 2026, the Maryland legislature passed House Bill 525, the Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone Free Schools Act. The bill mandates that all Maryland school districts create a policy that prohibits the use of “electronic communication devices” (including cell phones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds) during the entire instructional school day, for K-12, with only limited exceptions relating to disabilities, medical needs, and caregiver duties. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature, and takes effect on June 1, 2026.
The MCCPTA Technology Committee provided support through its partnership with Distraction Free Schools Policy Project. Anyone who is interested joining future advocacy efforts through the DFS Maryland team, which works on legislative efforts to address the negative impacts of screens in schools, can join by signing the DFS MD Community Letter of Support: https://forms.gle/wLEe8TA5Lb84FK7F7.