Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility House Education Committee advances Steele bill to restrict cell phones in schools

House Education Committee advances Steele bill to restrict cell phones in schools

Rep. Mandy Steele    April 28, 2026 | 4:53 PM

HARRISBURG, April 28 — A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, to restrict cell phone use in Pennsylvania schools cleared a key legislative hurdle today.

House Bill 1814 advanced out of the House Education Committee and now heads to the full House.

The bill would prohibit students in public schools from using or possessing a cell phone during the school day. Students would be required to secure their phones in a way that prevents access until the end of the day, with exceptions for certain emergency and medical needs approved by school authorities.

“I’m very passionate about this issue, because our children are being harmed by unfettered access to digital devices,” Steele said. “I’m grateful to my colleagues on the Education Committee who realize the high stakes for our children and are helping to move this bill through the Legislature. We need to do our part to create a healthy learning environment for every child in Pennsylvania.”

While some school districts already restrict cell phones in schools, Steele noted that many do not, and her bill would create a statewide standard.

More than 30 states currently restrict cell phone use in schools. Twenty-three states enforce a full “bell-to-bell” ban, also known as an “away for a day” policy, while eight states limit use only during instructional time, according to Education Week.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has also expressed his support for banning cell phones in schools and urged legislators to send a bill to his desk.