PA HB1238

Students prohibited from possessing or using personal mobile devices during instructional time in school buildings, with devices to be stored in lockboxes, pouches with locking mechanisms, or other secure locations

Exemptions provided for volunteer firefighters/EMTs performing official duties, students with medical needs, students with disabilities requiring devices per their IEP, English language learners using devices for translation, and students with teacher permission for educational purposes

School governing bodies required to adopt policies at open public meetings specifying procedures for device storage, retrieval, and parent-student communication during instructional time

Restrictions apply only to instructional time, not periods between classes, lunch, or recess; applies to school districts, charter schools, cyber charter schools, intermediate units, and career/technical schools

Schools must inform parents, guardians, teachers, and students of the policy at the beginning of each school year; act takes effect 60 days after enactment