Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts S2549: An Act to promote student learning and mental health
Status: In committee, July 31, 2025
What the bill says
From the introduced text, July 10, 2025:
SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as amended by section 2 of chapter 118 of the acts of 2022, is hereby further amended by adding the following section:- Section 101. Personal Electronic Devices (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: “Personal electronic device”, shall mean any portable electronic device capable of providing voice communication, text messaging or other data communication between 2 or more parties or devices, or capable of connecting to a smartphone or other personal electronic device, the internet, or a cellular or Wi-Fi network, or provides application usage. Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, and bluetooth enabled devices. A personal electronic device shall not preclude the use of school-issued or sanctioned devices that serve a legitimate educational purpose. (b) Each public school or district shall have a policy regarding the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities to reduce distractions, maintain environments focused on learning and protect the privacy and safety of students and staff. (c) The policy shall include, but not be limited to: (1) a prohibition on physical access to a personal electronic device by students during the school day; (2) standards for use of personal electronic …
Sponsors
- Education, Joint Committee on (I) · primary sponsor
- Julian Cyr (D, Cape and Islands)
- Brendan Crighton (D)
- John Cronin (D, Worcester and Middlesex)
- John Keenan (D, Norfolk and Plymouth)
- Patrick O'Connor (R, First Plymouth and Norfolk)
- John Velis (D, Hampden and Hampshire)
- Campbell, Andrea Joy (D)
- Mark Montigny (D, Second Bristol and Plymouth)
- Carmine Gentile (D)
- Nick Collins (D, First Suffolk)
- Donald Berthiaume (R)
Latest actions
- : New draft substituted, see S2561
- : Read second
- : Placed in the Orders of the Day for Thursday, July 31, 2025
- : Order relative to subject matter adopted
- : Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment, substituting a new draft, see S2561
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- : New draft of S323, S333, S335, S381, S424, S461 and S463
- : Reported from the committee on Education
Votes
- Committee Vote - Senate Committee on Ways and Means (July 24, 2025): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is S2549?
- S2549 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to promote student learning and mental health.
- What is the status of S2549?
- In committee as of July 31, 2025. Latest action: New draft substituted, see S2561 (July 31, 2025).
- Who sponsored S2549?
- Education, Joint Committee on (I), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S2549?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2549
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.