A group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation Friday in the State Senate that would require K-12 schools to implement a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy for the 2026-27 school year. This would essentially prevent students from using cell phones on school grounds at public and parochial schools, including during homeroom, lunch and recess.

Many states have moved in recent years to regulate cell phones in school. This summer, New York became the largest state to ban students from using cell phones throughout the entire school day. Three other states have similar bans, while numerous other states have less stringent restrictions.

“Right now, cell phones and social media are causing a detrimental impact to learning, socialization, and mental health in schools,” said Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), a co-sponsor of the bill, in a statement.

Lawmakers said as smartphone ownership among teens has risen dramatically since the 2010s, so too have rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among adolescents. Without phones, the bill’s sponsors said students can foster stronger relationships with each other.

They also said the bill would remove a major distraction from the classroom. Math and reading scores have been on the downturn for years now.

The bill, known as S.B. 1014, has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.