Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB79: County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements
Status: In committee, January 16, 2026
Requiring a county board of education to develop and adopt a policy on the use of personal electronic devices during school hours; requiring the policy to restrict or limit the use of personal electronic devices by students during school hours, except for any purpose documented in the student's education program or Section 504 plan, to monitor or address a student's health issue, or for certain educational purposes; requiring the policy to be published on the county board's website and in student handbooks; etc.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring a county board of education to develop and adopt a policy on the use of personal electronic devices during school hours; requiring the policy to restrict or limit the use of personal electronic devices by students during school hours, except under certain circumstances; and generally relating to county boards of education and a student technology use policy…
From the introduced text, January 10, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring a county board of education to develop and adopt a policy on the use of personal electronic devices during school hours; requiring the policy to restrict or limit the use of personal electronic devices by students during school hours, except under certain circumstances; and generally relating to county boards of education and a student technology use policy. BY adding to Article - Education Section 7-137 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Education 7-137. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE" MEANS ANY PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR INDIVIDUAL USE, INCLUDING A SMARTPHONE, A TABLET, A LAPTOP, A SMARTWATCH, OR SMARTGLASSES. (B) (1) EACH COUNTY BOARD SHALL DEVELOP AND ADOPT A POLICY PROHIBITING OR LIMITING THE USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES BY STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *sb0079* SENATE BILL (2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, THE POLICY SHALL INCLUDE: (I) FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, A PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF …
Sponsors
- Joanne Benson (D, SD-024) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m.
- : Hearing canceled
- : Hearing 2/03 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
- : Pre-filed
Common questions
- What is SB79?
- SB79 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements.
- What does SB79 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements FOR the purpose of requiring a county board of education to develop and adopt a policy on the use of personal electronic devices during school hours; requiring the policy to restrict or limit the use of personal electronic devices by students during school hours, except under certain circumstances; and generally relating to county boards of education and a student technology use policy…
- What is the status of SB79?
- In committee as of January 16, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 2/04 at 2:00 p.m. (January 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB79?
- Joanne Benson (D, SD-024).
- Where is the official record for SB79?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0079?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.