                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

STUDENT CELL PHONE AND SMART DEVICE POSSESSION AND USE POLICIES; DEVELOPMENT AND
IMPLEMENTATION (§ 22.1-79.3:1)

A. As used in this section:
			&#8220;Bell to bell&#8221; means after the first bell rings at the start of
the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bill rings at the
end of the school day. &#8220;Bell to bell&#8221; includes lunch and time in
between class periods.
			&#8220;Smart device&#8221; means any personal electronic device that can
connect to the Internet and wirelessly collect, process, and transmit data,
including smart watches and tablets.

B. Each school board shall develop and each public elementary and secondary
school shall implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate policies
relating to student cell phone and smart device possession and use on school
property from bell to bell. Such policies shall:

   1. Except as provided in subdivision 4, restrict student cell phone and smart
   device possession and use on school property from bell to bell;

   2. To the extent that student cell phone or smart device possession and use is
   otherwise permitted on school property before or after bell to bell, regulate
   such possession and use with the objective of reducing any distractions in or
   disruptions to the learning environment, including bullying and harassment;

   3. Ensure that implementation and enforcement of such policies (i) is the
   responsibility of the school administration; (ii) minimizes, to the extent
   possible, any conflict with the instructional responsibilities of teachers or
   any disturbance to instructional time; and (iii) does not involve any school
   resource officer, as defined in &#xA7; 9.1-101, that may be employed in any
   school in the school division;

   4. Permit any student, pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan, &#xA7;
   504 Plan, individualized health care plan, or Limited English Proficiency
   plan, to possess and use a cell phone or smart device on school property,
   including in the classroom, from bell to bell to monitor or address a health
   concern or as an accommodation or assistive technology support; and

   5. Expressly prohibit any student from being suspended or expelled as a
   consequence of any violation of such policies.

C. No violation of any student cell phone and smart device possession and use
policy developed or implemented in accordance with subsection B shall alone
constitute sufficient cause for a student&#8217;s suspension or expulsion from
attendance at school pursuant to &#xA7; 22.1-277. Any violation of any such
student cell phone and smart device possession and use policy that involves,
coincides with, or results in an instance of disruptive behavior, as that term
is defined in &#xA7; 22.1-276.01, shall be addressed in accordance with the
regulations on codes of student conduct adopted by each school board pursuant to
subsection B of &#xA7; 22.1-279.6.

HISTORY: 2025, cc. 606, 644.