Resolve, Establishing A Pilot Program To Reduce Personal Electronic Device Distractions During The School Day

This bill establishes a $250,000 pilot program for Maine schools to reduce student device distractions during the school day. It requires the Department of Education to fund one or more school districts to implement a policy requiring all student devices to be turned off and securely stored (e.g., in pouches) for the entire school day during the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must include exemptions for students needing devices for health reasons or individualized education plans (IEPs). The Maine Education Policy Research Institute will develop evaluation metrics tracking school climate, behavior, academics, and stakeholder feedback, with reports due in late 2026 and 2027.