II
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5636
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 30, 2026
Mr. Gallego introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To establish a grant program to support restricting the use of cellular phones and other personal electronic devices at eligible schools during instructional time.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Supporting Focus in Schools Act
.
Definitions
In this Act:
ESEA terms
The elementary school
and secondary school
have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
Eligible school
The term eligible school means an elementary school or secondary school that—
receives funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and
has a personal electronic device policy as described in section 3(b).
Personal electronic device
In General
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term personal electronic device, when used with respect to a device possessed or used by a student, includes a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, smartwatch, or other cellular phone, or another similar device.
Exception
The term personal electronic device does not include a laptop or tablet that—
a student is authorized by the school of the student to use during school hours;
is used by such student only for instructional purposes; and
is restricted from accessing social media platforms, personal email, personal messaging applications, texting services, and other non-academic applications during school hours.
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.
Grant program established
In General
The Secretary shall establish a grant program through which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible schools to enable those eligible schools to carry out activities described in subsection (d) that support a school ban on personal electronic devices in accordance with a policy described in subsection (c).
Application
An eligible school desiring to receive a grant under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including the eligible school's personal electronic device policy described in subsection (c).
Personal electronic device policy required
To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an eligible school shall be required to have in effect a policy that prohibits student use of personal electronic devices in the school during school instruction hours. Such policy shall permit exceptions, as approved by a school administrator—
for students with health conditions that require the use of a mobile phone or other personal electronic device as part of a treatment or monitoring plan;
for students with disabilities or special needs for whom access to a mobile phone or other personal electronic device is—
documented as necessary in an individualized education program; or
included as part of services or accommodations provided to the student pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) (commonly referred to as a Section 504 plan
); and
for an emergency.
Uses of funds
An eligible school that receives a grant under this Act shall use grant funds to carry out 1 or more of the following activities:
Purchase equipment that will support the personal electronic device policy of the school, such as phone lockers, phone pouches, or similar storage devices or equipment.
Provide professional development and training to teachers and school staff about how to support the school's personal electronic device policy.
Reporting
Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this Act, an eligible school shall submit a report to the Secretary that contains information about the effect of the activities carried out using grant funds under this Act, including any effect on academic outcomes at the eligible school.