HB623 • 2026

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Education

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: WOODSON, EVSLIN, GARCIA, GARRETT, GRANDINETTI, LA CHICA, LOWEN, MARTEN, OLDS, PERRUSO, PIERICK, POEPOE, QUINLAN, TAKAYAMA, TARNAS, WARD
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on enforcement measures or consequences for violations of the ban.

Banning Phones and Related Devices in Schools

This bill requires the Board of Education to create a policy that bans students from using phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other similar devices during school hours.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Board of Education to make a rule banning phones and related devices for students in schools.

Who It Names or Affects

Students who attend public schools will not be allowed to use phones or related devices during school hours.

Terms To Know

Bell-to-bell policy: A rule that applies from the start of the first class until the end of the last class each day, meaning no breaks for using devices during this time.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a student needs to use their phone or device for an emergency.
It is unclear how schools will enforce this ban and handle confiscated devices.
There are no details on the consequences for students who break this rule.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to EDN, JHA, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO EDUCATION.
Department of Education; Phones; Related Devices; Ban
Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB623

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

623

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO EDUCATION
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that cellphone use in
schools can be detrimental to student achievement and wellbeing.
�
Research has shown that allowing cellphones
in the classroom impacts student focus and engagement, leading to decreased
academic performance on tests and adversely impacting students' long-term
learning retention.
�
Excessive cellphone
use can also distract students from in-person socialization, which is critical for
students' physical and mental wellbeing.

����
The
legislature further finds that there is a growing number of states that are
banning or restricting cellphone use in schools.
�
At least nineteen states have passed laws or
enacted policies that ban or restrict students' use of cellphones in schools
statewide or have recommended that local districts enact bans or restrictive
policies.
�
In Hawaii, efforts to ban
cellphones in schools has had a positive impact on students, with teachers
reporting fewer distractions in class and more social interactions among
students.

����
The
purpose of this Act is to require the board of education to adopt a policy that
bans the use of cell phones and related devices, such as smart watches,
earbuds, AirPods, and Bluetooth connected headphones, by students during school
hours.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�302A-
�
Phone-and-related-devices-free,
bell-to-bell policy.
�
The board shall establish a phone-and-related-devices-free,
bell-to-bell policy for public schools to be implemented beginning with the
2025-2026 school year; provided that the policy may be implemented in phases
for each school level.
"

����
SECTION
3.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Department
of Education; Phones; Related Devices; Ban

Description:

Requires
the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and
related devices by students during school hours.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.