Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs School Cell Phone Ban in Doylestown, Bucks County; Bell-to-Bell Ban Takes Hold from the 2027-28 School Year
Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 1014 on Monday, October 26, at Lenape Middle School in Doylestown, requiring schools across the state to adopt and implement policies prohibiting students from using personal cell phones and other personal internet-capable devices throughout the entire school day, with policies due by the start of the 2027-28 school year. According to WHJB's October 27 report, Shapiro said at the signing that students need to spend less time on their phones and more time "learning and developing those social skills with their neighbors." The "bell-to-bell" ban covers hallways, breaks and lunch as well as class time. Each school decides how to enforce the policy, including storing phones in lockers, pouches or designated storage areas; the law does not require schools to take students' phones, and schools must tell parents how to reach students in an emergency.
The ban applies to all schools statewide, including traditional public schools, private schools, charter schools and cyber charter schools. Exceptions cover medical needs, disability accommodations, translation tools for English language learners, and certain approved educational uses. The Central Bucks School District, where Doylestown is located, has already enforced a similar phone ban for about two years. Following the signing, schools will draw up their detailed rules and notify families before the new school year begins.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：宾夕法尼亚州州长乔希·夏皮罗（资料图，2022年）。Governor Tom Wolf 摄，CC BY 2.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons / Photo: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (file photo, 2022). By Governor Tom Wolf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
