school policies; internet; wireless devices

Plain English Breakdown

The official source confirms the change from 'during' to 'in the case of' an emergency but does not define specific scenarios for when this applies.

SB1811: Changes to School Rules on Wireless Devices

This bill changes state law so students can use wireless communication devices in the case of an emergency, rather than only during one.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the rule for emergencies from allowing device use 'during' an event to 'in the case of' an event.
• Requires schools to keep rules that let teachers allow students to use wireless devices for learning tasks.
• Keeps existing rules that allow students with medical conditions to use their own or school-provided wireless devices.
• Mandates that schools create ways for parents and students to contact each other during the school day.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students in Arizona public schools
• School district governing boards
• Charter school governing bodies

Terms To Know

Wireless communication devices

Personal phones or tablets, as well as any similar device given to a student by the school.

School day

Any time students are at school, including meal times, passing periods between classes, and recess.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not say exactly how schools must define what counts as 'in the case of' an emergency.
• The text does not specify if there are any penalties for students who break these rules.
• The effective date is listed only as a general future date, so it may take time before this law starts.

Official Summary Text

SB1811 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
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COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1811

school policies;
internet; wireless devices

Purpose

Allows a student
to use a wireless communication device during the school day when the device is
used in the case of, rather than during, an emergency.

Background

Each school
district governing board and charter school governing body must prescribe and
enforce policies and procedures that govern student access to the internet that
is provided by the school and that limit students' use of wireless
communication devices during the school day. The policies and procedures
adopted must allow students to use wireless communication devices when the use
is: 1) for educational purposes as directed by the student's teacher; 2) during
an emergency; and 3) necessary due to a student's medical condition.
Additionally, the adopted policies must include procedures allowing for a
student to contact the student's parent and the parent to contact the student
during the school day (
A.R.S.
� 15-120.05
).

There is no
anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.

Provisions

1.

Modifies the list of qualifying conditions which permit a student to use
a wireless communication device during the school day by allowing a student to
use a wireless communication device in the case of, rather than during, an
emergency.

2.

Makes technical changes.

3.

Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 12, 2026

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Current Bill Text

SB1811 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

school policies;
internet; wireless devices

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1811

AN
ACT

amending section 15-120.05, Arizona
Revised Statutes; RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 15-120.05, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
15-120.05.

Student access to internet; student use of wireless communication
devices; policies and procedures; annual notice; definitions

A. Each school district governing board and charter
school governing body shall prescribe and enforce policies and procedures that
both:

1. Govern student access to the internet as provided
by the school, including policies that restrict student access to social media
platforms.� The policies and procedures adopted pursuant to this paragraph
shall

must
allow teachers to give students
access to social media platforms to the extent necessary for educational
purposes.

2. Limit the use of wireless communication devices
by students during the school day. The policies and procedures
adopted pursuant to this paragraph
shall

must

do all of the following:

(a) Allow students to use wireless communication
devices if any of the following applies:

(i) For educational purposes, as directed by the
student's teacher.

(ii)
During

In
the case of
an emergency.

(iii) The student needs the student's wireless
communication device because the student has a medical condition.

(b) Include procedures for a student's parent to
contact the student during the school day.

(c) Include procedures for a student to contact the
student's parent during the school day.

B. At the beginning of each school year, the school
district shall provide to parents, teachers and students a copy of the policies
adopted pursuant to subsection A of this section and notify the parents,
teachers and students of any changes to the policy.

C. For the purposes of this section:

1. "School day" means periods of time when
students are at school, including meals, passing periods and recess.

2. "Social media platform" means a
website, computer application or other digital platform that is used for social
networking and creating or exchanging virtual content.

3. "Wireless communication devices"
includes personal devices and devices that are provided by the school.
END_STATUTE