AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CELL PHONE USE IN SCHOOL.

HA 2 had added formal definitions for 'cell phone' (a portable electronic device used for communication through voice calls, text messages, or Internet access) and 'instructional time' (educator-led time dedicated to teaching and learning). These definitions are absent from the final bill text.

HA 2 had added a requirement that each school district and charter school policy include a plan to monitor discipline data related to student cell phone use policy violations. This requirement is not in the final bill.

HA 2 had required the Department of Education to provide school districts and charter schools with model language to support development of cell phone use policies. This provision is not in the final bill.

The deadline for school districts and charter schools to post their adopted cell phone policy on their website changed from August 31, 2026 (as proposed by HA 2) to August 1, 2025 in the final text - a shift of more than a year earlier.

The Whereas clauses were substantially rewritten. HA 2 had added Delaware-specific pilot program survey results (83% of teachers/staff in favor of pouches, 60% reporting positive changes, student dissatisfaction). The final version replaces these with national statistics: 50% of children have phones by age 11, 4.5 hours daily average use for ages 11-17, 97% used phones during school hours (43 minutes per day), and Pew Research data showing 72% of high school teachers cite cell phone distractions as a major problem.

The bill moved from the House of Representatives to the Delaware State Senate, with sponsorship changing from Rep. K. Williams alone to Sen. Buckson and Rep. K. Williams with a full list of co-sponsors.