Earlier this year, the governor announced a proposal to make classrooms distraction-free by instituting a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones during the school day.
Starting in September, every student would be required to disconnect from their device during school hours bell to bell.
“That means during class, at lunch, in the hallways, our kids will finally be free from the endless interruptions of social media and all the mental health pressures that come along with it,” Hochul said at the time.
On Tuesday, Hochul announced that the budget, if passed, will include a statewide policy to ban cell phones with a $13.5 million investment. The tentative budget agreement will go to the state legislature for a full vote.
The move would make New York the largest state in the country with a bell-to-bell ban.
MORE ABOUT THE BAN
According to the governor, schools would have flexibility in how they implement this restriction. Districts would decide how they want to store devices and ensure compliance.
Hochul said there would be exceptions for students who need devices for medical reasons, to assist non-English language speakers, and students with learning disabilities.
Funding provided to schools would go toward helping purchase pouches, cubbies, or other infrastructure to store student cell phones during the school day.
The cell phone ban in New York schools would be in place starting in the 2025-2026 school year and apply to all schools in public school districts. Charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services would also be under this requirement.
By Aug. 1, each school and district would need to publish on its website its cellphone restriction policy.
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