NJ A2546

The Commissioner of Education must develop guidelines within 90 days for K-12 student use of internet-enabled devices (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches) during school hours, on school buses, and at school-sanctioned events.

Guidelines must prohibit non-academic use of internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the school day, with age-appropriate and grade-level differentiated restrictions.

Exceptions are permitted for students with IEPs or 504 plans, medical needs documented by healthcare professionals, translation services, student caregivers responsible for family members, and emergency situations.

Each board of education must adopt a policy consistent with the state guidelines, and may implement more stringent restrictions than the state minimum requirements.

Storage options such as locked pouches and lockers must be addressed, along with network-based restrictions to block social media platforms and protocols for communicating policies to students, families, and staff.