HF 2516

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2025 04:15 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to education policy; restricting cell phone use in schools; appropriating
money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.73.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.73, is amended to read:

121A.73 SCHOOL CELL PHONE POLICY.

new text begin (a) new text end A school district or charter school must adopt a policy on students' possession and
use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025. The Minnesota Elementary School Principals'
Association and the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals must collaborate
to make best practices available to schools on a range of different strategies in order to
minimize the impact of cell phones on student behavior, mental health, and academic
attainment.

new text begin (b) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the school district or charter school's school
cell phone policy must prohibit cell phones and smart watches in school for students in
grades kindergarten through 8 and prohibit cell phones and smart watches in classrooms
for students in grades 9 through 12. The policy must provide exceptions for devices necessary
for medical use, exceptions for devices included in an individualized education program
for a student with a disability, or other exceptions at the discretion of the school principal.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Student cell phone use; statewide campaign. new text end

new text begin (a) For the Department of
Education to contract for a statewide campaign regarding the negative effects of screen
overuse and misuse on children:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2026 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end

new text begin (b) The campaign must be structured to provide information to parents and caregivers
as early as possible and be repeated throughout a student's education from early childhood
through grade 12.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, one percent of the grant is
available for grant administration.
new text end

new text begin (d) Any balance in fiscal year 2026 is available in fiscal year 2027.
new text end

new text begin (e) The base for fiscal year 2028 and later is $........
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Implementation grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to school districts and charter schools
to implement the required school cell phone use policies:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2026 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end

new text begin (b) A school district or charter school may apply, in the form and manner prescribed by
the commissioner, for a grant to implement the school cell phone use policy. The grant
funds must be used for onetime expenses related to the policy and not ongoing expenses
such as employee salaries to enforce the policy.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, one percent of the grant is
available for grant administration.
new text end

new text begin (d) Any balance remaining in fiscal year 2026 is available in fiscal year 2027.
new text end

new text begin (e) These are onetime appropriations.
new text end