Local Education Agencies

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specifics about enforcement or consequences for non-compliance with its provisions.

Rules for Electronic Devices in Schools

This bill requires schools to prohibit students from using electronic devices during school hours unless given by the school, allowed under a policy, or needed for special education needs.

What This Bill Does

• Requires each local education agency (LEA) and public charter school to prohibit students from displaying, using, or accessing an electronic device during the school day unless it is provided by the LEA or public charter school, authorized by the school's policy, or needed for special education needs.
• Allows schools to develop policies that may categorically ban certain types of devices in specific areas like libraries and labs.
• Requires each local board of education and public charter school governing body to establish a process for contacting parents during emergencies even when phones are not allowed.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students who attend public schools or charter schools in Tennessee.
• School boards that make rules for their schools.
• Parents of students attending these schools.

Terms To Know

LEA

Local Education Agency, which is a school district or other local organization responsible for providing public education.

IEP

Individualized Education Program, a plan designed to meet the educational needs of students with disabilities.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if a student breaks these rules.
• It is unclear how schools will enforce this rule across all types of devices and situations.
• There are no details on penalties for schools that do not follow the requirements by July 31, 2025.

Official Summary Text

For
the 2025-2026 school year and each school
year thereafter
, this bill requires each local education agency (LEA)
and public charter school
to
prohibit a student enrolled in the LEA or public charter school from displaying, using, or accessing an electronic device during the school day unless the el
ectronic device is
(i) p
rovided to the student by the LEA or public charter school
, (ii) a
uthorized for use during the school day pursuant to the policy adopted by the local board of education or public charter school governing body
,
or
(iii) b
eing used by
a student who has a disability for the operation of assistive technology to increase, maintain, or improve the student's functional capabilities, or pursuant to a student's individualized education program (IEP)
.

This bill requires each
local board of e
ducation and public charter school governing body
to
develop and adopt a policy to effectuate this
bill
.
Such a policy (i) m
ay categorically ban the use of certain electronic devices in designated areas
, (ii) m
ay establish an exception to the general proh
ibition in certain situations,
such as
emergency situations, and in certain areas,

and
(iii) m
ust establish a process by which parents will be contacted in the event of an emergency or possible emergency occurring at the school at which the parent's studen
t is enrolled to ensure that the absence of, or restricted access to, electronic devices during the school day does not prevent parents from receiving notice of an emergency.

Each LEA and public charter school
must
submit its policy to the department of e
ducation no later than July 31, 2025.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 419
By Alexander

SENATE BILL 414
By Haile

SB0414
002025
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,
relative to electronic devices.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 3, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) As used in this section, "electronic device" means a portable or handheld
device that is capable of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly, including, but not
limited to, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and other similar devices.
(b) Each LEA and public charter school shall prohibit a student enrolled in the
LEA or public charter school from displaying, using, or accessing an electronic device
during the school day unless the electronic device is:
(1) Provided to the student by the LEA or public charter school;
(2) Authorized for use during the school day pursuant to the policy
adopted by the local board of education or public charter school governing body
in accordance with subsection (c); or
(3) Being used by a student who has a disability for the operation of
assistive technology to increase, maintain, or improve the student's functional
capabilities, or pursuant to a student's individualized education program (IEP)
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.),
or a Section 504 plan under the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.).
(c)

- 2 - 002025

(1) Each local board of education and public charter school governing
body shall develop and adopt a policy to effectuate this section. A policy adopted
pursuant to this subsection (c):
(A) May categorically ban the use of certain electronic devices in
designated areas, such as libraries, laboratories, and examination halls;
(B) May establish an exception to the general prohibition in
subsection (b) in certain situations, including, but not limited to,
emergency situations, and in certain areas, including, but not limited to,
one (1) or more of the areas listed in subdivision (c)(1)(A); and
(C) Must establish a process by which parents will be contacted
in the event of an emergency or possible emergency occurring at the
school at which the parent's student is enrolled to ensure that the
absence of, or restricted access to, electronic devices during the school
day does not prevent parents from receiving notice of an emergency.
(2) Each LEA and public charter school shall submit its policy to the
department of education no later than July 31, 2025.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it,
and applies to the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter.