Sweeping proposal backed by bipartisan lawmakers heads to Senate after overwhelming House vote
The Georgia House has greenlit a sweeping new proposal that could change what classrooms look and sound like across the state: quieter, more focused, and entirely phone-free — at least for K-8 students.
House Bill 340, better known as the Distraction-Free Education Act, passed with broad support in a 143–29 vote and now awaits debate in the state Senate. If it crosses that hurdle and is signed into law, the ban would kick in during the 2026–2027 school year. And Georgia’s youngest students might soon be slipping their phones into lockers, pouches, or simply leaving them at home.
A bill meant to bring back focus — and sanity — to classrooms
Ask any teacher. Ask them what’s changed most in the last ten years. You might expect talk of curriculum or funding. Instead, most of them will mention one word: phones.
Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, says it’s long overdue.
“Devices in our classrooms have become a significant discipline issue,” she said. “The bill will certainly help students concentrate better on the lessons.”
“All students in the district will have the same policy,” Morgan added. “You’ll know what the policy is, and you won’t have ambiguity in the policy.”
That might sound like common sense, but consistency hasn’t exactly been Georgia’s strong suit when it comes to tech in schools. Some schools have strict no-phone policies. Others? Pretty lax. The result: confusion, frustration, and more distracted students.
What’s actually in the bill?
The bill doesn’t just wave a big red “No Phones” sign and call it a day. It comes with expectations.
Students in grades K through 8 would be banned from using cellphones and other personal electronic devices during school hours. That includes classroom time, of course, but it could also extend to lunch breaks and hallways — depending on how local districts enforce it.
Enforcement isn’t one-size-fits-all, either. School districts would be tasked with figuring out how to implement the policy, as long as they meet the basic requirement of zero usage during instructional time.
Some ideas floated so far:
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Locked cellphone pouches similar to those used in concerts and comedy shows
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Secure in-classroom lockers for devices
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Designated phone collection times in homeroom
So yeah, there’s room for flexibility. But there’s no room for scrolling TikTok under the desk anymore.
Teachers are (mostly) relieved
Lori Baskins, who teaches elementary school in Stephens County, says she’s hopeful. She’s seen the distractions firsthand — and the damage.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Baskins told local reporters. “Taking away the students’ phones during school hours removes distractions, allowing them to learn and focus on their work.”
That little buzz or ding? It’s not so little when it derails an entire lesson.
“As long as they are able to use their phones when necessary, I believe the bill will be successful,” she added.
Many teachers across the state seem to echo Baskins’ take. Not because they’re against technology altogether — far from it. They just want classroom tech to work for the lesson, not against it.
Some pushback, but not enough to stop the bill
Sure, not everyone’s cheering. Critics worry about emergency situations. What if a child needs to call home? What if something terrible happens?
Those concerns were raised during the debate, but lawmakers noted that schools still have landlines, office staff, and teacher phones in case of emergencies. Plus, the ban only applies during school hours — students can still have their phones before and after class.
The House vote says a lot. This wasn’t a nail-biter. The bill coasted through with a wide margin:
| Vote Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Yes | 143 |
| No | 29 |
That kind of bipartisan support is rare in any statehouse, especially these days. And it speaks to a broader, shared frustration about what classrooms have become — and what they might look like if things don’t change.
What happens next?
Right now, the bill is sitting in the state Senate. If it passes there — and signs point to strong support — it’ll head to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk. He hasn’t made a public comment yet, but insiders expect him to back it.
If signed into law, Georgia schools will have a full academic year to prepare. That means:
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Updating student handbooks
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Holding meetings with parents
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Figuring out logistics like lockers, pouches, or device management systems
Plenty of work to be done. But supporters say it’s worth it.
Bigger than just Georgia?
This isn’t just a Peach State conversation. Across the U.S., school districts are struggling to find the line between tech-friendly and tech-addicted. Some have already enacted partial bans, while others are watching closely to see what happens in Georgia.
Earlier this year, Florida implemented a similar phone restriction in its K-12 public schools, requiring students to put phones away during class time. Other states, including Utah and Indiana, are exploring their own policies.
