County Boards of Education - Student Personal Electronic Device Use Policy - Establishment (Phones Away for the School Day Act)

HB 755 requires Maryland county school boards to create policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like phones) during all school day hours, effective by the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must mandate students store devices securely and prohibits use except for documented needs in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan. Schools must also provide designated phones for students to contact parents or guardians during the school day. The law explicitly bars suspensions or expulsions solely for violating this device policy. This directly affects all public school students and school boards across Maryland.