MA H696

Establishes a commission to study students' phone use in schools and its effects on educational outcomes and mental health, reporting findings to the Joint Committee on Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by January 1, 2026

Commission includes 14+ members: legislators appointed by Senate President and House Speaker (serving as co-chairs), minority party representatives, Secretary of Education, DESE Commissioner, and governor-appointed experts in developmental psychology and learning science

Requires representation from six education organizations: Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, Massachusetts PTA, and Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital

Commission must review current phone policies across Commonwealth districts and recommend whether phone restrictions should be mandatory statewide, incentive-based, model policies, or left to district discretion

Recommendations must address phone prohibition timing (full day vs. excluding lunch/recess), storage requirements (bags vs. lockers), implementation technology, and public/private funding options