Danny Burgess Files Bill Establishing Pilot Program for Phone Free Schools

Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) filed a bill on Wednesday that would direct the Florida Department of Education to start a pilot program to implement a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices by students in school.

"This will allow us to take a closer look at phone-free school campuses, which I believe can encourage students to connect more personally with each other and their teachers and better support their academic efforts," Burgess said.

Under Danny Burgess' SB 1296, Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. and the department would coordinate with and select six districts representing two small, two medium, and two large counties that currently, or will in the 2025-2026 academic year, implement the cell phone ban policy.

In 2023, Florida passed a bill banning the use of cell phones during instructional time.

Burgess added the ban covers school grounds and students involved in school activities off school property. He also thanked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his Foundation for Florida's Future not-for-profit for backing the legislation.

"Proud to have the support of @JebBush's @AFloridaPromise, which has noted that data shows eliminating the distraction of cell phones, not just in the classroom but on campus throughout the school day, results in better school climate and academic outcomes," Burgess said.

Following the program, the Department of Education would provide a report to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives before Dec. 1, 2026, summarizing the findings. The review would specifically recap the ban's policy effect on each district, including student achievement and behavior.

It also would overview the policy's effect on students with disabilities and English Language Learners who may use electronic devices for educational purposes. Moreover, the report would consider students who use cell phones for medical reasons or emergencies and on places like school buses before or after school.

It also said, upon review, it would include a model policy that other school districts and charter schools may adopt.

As a penalty, the report mentioned a list of student code of conduct provisions for violations of the policy, including the use of cell phones to bully, harass, or threaten other students and for occurrences of academic cheating, among others.

If passed, SB 1296 would take effect on July 1.