SB 5346 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Restricting mobile device usage by public school students.

SB 5346 requires Washington public school districts to adopt policies restricting student mobile device use during instructional hours by the 2026-27 school year. It directs the state superintendent to report on existing policies and recommend strategies (like time limits or secure storage) by December 2025, leading to a model policy developed by school directors. School districts must align their local policies with this model and share them annually with students and families. The bill excludes school-issued devices and defines "instructional hours" per existing law, focusing on reducing distractions and supporting mental health without specifying direct device bans.

Issues: ✗ Education ✗ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was certified as passed by both the Senate and House, adding official legislative approval text. The act's scope was expanded to include amendments to a new statute regarding mobile devices (RCW 28A.320.135). The reporting timeline was accelerated, requiring a single comprehensive report by December 2027 instead of two separate reports in 2026 and 2028. The final expiration date was moved forward from June 2029 to June 2028. New requirements were added to gather direct student input on mobile device policies.

Scope change

The bill now applies to a broader range of laws by amending RCW 28A.320.135, which governs school district policies on mobile devices, in addition to the existing sections on digital citizenship.

SCOPE

Added an amendment to RCW 28A.320.135 to explicitly allow school boards to limit mobile device use, expanding the bill's legal authority beyond just digital citizenship resources.

TIMELINE

Consolidated the reporting schedule into a single deadline of December 15, 2027, removing the intermediate 2026 report requirement.

Shortened the bill's expiration date from June 30, 2029, to June 30, 2028.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for the Superintendent's report to include specific input from students regarding mobile device usage recommendations.

TECHNICAL

Inserted certification text confirming the bill passed the Senate and House with specific vote counts and dates.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

45–4

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 51

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic31

29 Yea 2

93% Yea

R Republican20

16 Yea 4 Nay

80% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 43; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 2.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments.

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

lower

Mar 4, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (64-35-1)

house

Feb 25, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

ED - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

1 primary · 12 co-sponsors