County Boards of Education - Student Electronic Communication Device Use Policy - Establishment (Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act)
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “County Boards of Education - Student Electronic Communication Device Use Policy - Establishment (Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act)” Read the full text
2026 session
What it does
Requiring each county board of education to develop and implement, by the 2027-2028 school year, a policy prohibiting the use of certain electronic communication devices by a student during the academic school day; and prohibiting the policy from restricting the use of an electronic communication device for purposes of accommodations related to a disability, including for any purpose in a student's individual education program, to address a documented health issue, to access language translation
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
First reading, house of origin · Jan 26, 2026
Hearing · Feb 18, 2026
Committee report, house of origin: Favorable with Amendments · Mar 20, 2026
Second reading, house of origin: Passed with Amendments · Mar 8, 2026
Third reading, house of origin: Passed · Mar 10, 2026
First reading, opposite house · Mar 6, 2026
Committee report, opposite house: Favorable with Amendments · Apr 7, 2026
Second reading, opposite house: Passed with Amendments · Mar 18, 2026
Third reading, opposite house: Passed with Amendments · Mar 20, 2026
The numbers
17
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
Delegate BoafoDelegate WuDelegate WolekDelegate KaufmanDelegate MorenoDelegate SchindlerDelegate SolomonDelegate TaylorDelegate EbersoleDelegate GriffithDelegate HartmanDelegate HornbergerDelegate Long, R.Delegate Mireku-NorthDelegate PattersonDelegate VogelDelegate Wims
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 596 (as of Aug 30, 2026).