Governor Josh Shapiro signed today a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in Pennsylvania’s schools.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1014 47-3 on Wednesday, October 21, after the State House passed it by a 141-62 vote earlier last week.

The law allows school districts to decide the implementation, enforcement, and storage of students’ phones during the day. It includes exceptions for students with individualized learning plans or other medical needs, and teachers can also request to incorporate the devices into a lesson plan with administrative support.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association has publicly supported the legislation.

“We commend the bipartisan group of lawmakers who voted for this important legislation, freeing Pennsylvania students from the constant disruptions of cellphones and mobile devices during the school day,” said Aaron Chapin, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, in a statement. “This bill takes an essential step toward reducing distractions for students during class time and keeping lessons and teaching on track. We are confident that this change to the school day will have a positive impact on student behavior, academic performance, and mental health.”

The bipartisan “Phone-Free Schools” law’s implementation will begin by the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

You can watch Shapiro sign off on the bill at Lenape Middle School in Doylestown below:

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Screengrab: Facebook