Bill HF2516, SF0508

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to education policy; restricting cell phone use in schools; appropriating 
1.3          money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.73.
1.4          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5          Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.73, is amended to read:
1.6          121A.73 SCHOOL CELL PHONE POLICY.
1.7          (a) A school district or charter school must adopt a policy on students' possession and 
1.8          use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025. The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' 
1.9          Association and the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals must collaborate 
1.10       to make best practices available to schools on a range of different strategies in order to 
1.11       minimize the impact of cell phones on student behavior, mental health, and academic 
1.12       attainment.
1.13       (b) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the school district or charter school's school 
1.14       cell phone policy must prohibit cell phones and smart watches in school for students in 
1.15       grades kindergarten through 8 and prohibit cell phones and smart watches in classrooms 
1.16       for students in grades 9 through 12. The policy must provide exceptions for devices necessary 
1.17       for medical use, exceptions for devices included in an individualized education program 
1.18       for a student with a disability, or other exceptions at the discretion of the school principal.

1.19       Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS.
 1.20                      Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are 
1.21       appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years 
1.22       designated.
2.1                          Subd. 2.Student cell phone use; statewide campaign. (a) For the Department of 
2.2          Education to contract for a statewide campaign regarding the negative effects of screen 
2.3          overuse and misuse on children:

2.6          (b) The campaign must be structured to provide information to parents and caregivers 
2.7          as early as possible and be repeated throughout a student's education from early childhood 
2.8          through grade 12.
2.9          (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, one percent of the grant is 
2.10       available for grant administration.
2.11       (d) Any balance in fiscal year 2026 is available in fiscal year 2027.
2.12       (e) The base for fiscal year 2028 and later is $........
2.13                       Subd. 3.Implementation grants. (a) For grants to school districts and charter schools 
2.14       to implement the required school cell phone use policies:

2.17       (b) A school district or charter school may apply, in the form and manner prescribed by 
2.18       the commissioner, for a grant to implement the school cell phone use policy. The grant 
2.19       funds must be used for onetime expenses related to the policy and not ongoing expenses 
2.20       such as employee salaries to enforce the policy.
2.21       (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, one percent of the grant is 
2.22       available for grant administration.
2.23       (d) Any balance remaining in fiscal year 2026 is available in fiscal year 2027.
2.24       (e) These are onetime appropriations.