HARRISBURG PA – Emulating policies already enacted in Pottstown – at The Hill School, and in the Pottstown and Pottsgrove school districts – as well as at other Pennsylvania schools, the state Senate Education Committee on Tuesday (Dec. 9, 2025) unanimously approved a statewide proposal to limit student cellphone use during school days.
The legislation, known as Senate Bill (SB) 1014 of 2025, now moves to the full Senate for its consideration. If passed by the Senate, the bill must also be approved by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and signed by the governor before it can become law. The process occasionally takes up to several months.
Proponents say the bill “aims to curb classroom distractions, improve academic performance, and address growing concerns about youth mental health and social development.” Similar bills have already become law in several states.
Additionally, policies with similar wording have been approved by school boards around Pennsylvania.
The bill would require each school district to develop its own “bell-to-bell” cellphone policy. However, it would enforce a consistent statewide limiting students from using cellphones during the school day. It also allows districts to “retain flexibility to choose the enforcement method that works best for their communities,” lawmakers say.
Exceptions are allowed for: medical needs, individualized education programs that require a communication device, English-language learners using translation apps, and limited instructional use with teacher and administrator permission.
Concern About Classroom Engagement
The Pottsgrove High School 2025-2026 student handbook, under its “Electronic Devices” section, specifies that “students are expected to have their cell phones and other personal electronic devices out of sight, silenced, not visible or in use in all learning areas which include: all classrooms, library, auditorium, and gyms.”
It allows students “to use these devices in the hallways during transition times and in the cafeteria during lunch periods.”
Although worded differently, the 2025-2026 Pottstown High School policy is generally similar in content.
A Senate media release claims that “schools, educators, and parents across Pennsylvania have increasingly expressed concern about the role of smartphones in contributing to anxiety, depression, cyber-bullying, and reduced classroom engagement.”
“The evidence is overwhelming,” some bill sponsors report. “Student cellphone use in schools is harming learning, social skills, and emotional well-being,” they say in the release.
TriCounty Senators Among Co-Sponsors
“Today’s bipartisan vote reflects a shared commitment to creating healthier, more focused school environments where students can learn without constant digital interruption,” the release adds.
Among Senate members supporting the proposed legislation as co-sponsors are Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, Sen. Vincent Hughes, Sen. Art Haywood, Sen. Maria Collett, and Sen. John Kane. All represent portions of Montgomery, Chester, or Berks counties.
Our local news reporting includes articles about public, private, home-school, non-profit, and organizational education issues within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more education articles here.
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