Distraction-Free Schools: Governor Hochul, NYSUT and Capital Region School Districts Highlight Plans to Implement Bell-to-Bell Smartphone Restrictions This Fall

Follows State’s Distraction-Free Schools Law for Bell-to-Bell Smartphone Restrictions in K-12 Schools Statewide

Governor Hosts Roundtable with Capital Region Teachers, School Administrators and Other Stakeholders to Discuss Implementation

All Public School Districts Statewide Must Publish Their Distraction-Free Policy by August 1st

Nearly 150 School Districts Across New York Have Already Finalized and Submitted Their Policy In Advance of August 1 Deadline

Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) President Melinda Person, Capital Region school district administrators, teachers and other stakeholders to highlight their plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions when school resumes this fall. Capital Region school districts participating in today’s discussion included the Albany City School District, Schenectady City School District, Utica City School District and East Greenbush Central School District – all of whom have now finalized their distraction-free policy in advance of the State’s August 1 deadline.

“As Governor, my priority is ensuring every New York student receives a high-quality education, free from constant clicking and scrolling – that’s why I’ve directed my team to commit every available resource for school districts to develop their distraction-free learning policies by the August 1 deadline,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m encouraged by my discussion with Capital Region school districts that have already implemented their distraction-free policy, and I am confident that New York will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions on the first day of school.”

The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year. As part of that law, public school districts statewide must finalize and publish their distraction-free policy by August 1. The Governor also recently launched a website with a policy FAQ, toolkit and other key information about the State law as a resource for districts as they finalize their policy. The Governor also recently highlighted that nearly 150 school districts across New York have already submitted their distraction-free policy.

Governor Hochul’s bell-to-bell policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

• Prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
• Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
• Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
• Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
• Requires teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
• Prevents inequitable discipline

Governor Hochul’s policy allows authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.

Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents, and students. Her report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:

• Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
• Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
• Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
• Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
• Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
• An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
• Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming