New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York S10685: Enacts the "Fostering Optimal Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods
Status: In committee, August 21, 2026
Enacts the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled and electronic devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods; prohibits use by younger students; limits and restricts certain uses by older students; requires written policies for opting in for the school issued devices; prohibits social media applications, gaming and AI in school issued devices; requires registration by educational technology providers.
What the bill says
An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act".
From the introduced text, August 21, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act" THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act". § 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 2-B to read as follows: ARTICLE 2-B FOCUS ACT SECTION 30. DEFINITIONS. 31. SCREEN TIME LIMITATIONS. 32. RIGHT TO ANALOG LEARNING. 33. STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL-ISSUED DEVICES. 34. PROHIBITED PRACTICES. 35. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY REGISTRY. 36. UPDATED LEARNING STANDARDS. 37. CONSTRUCTION. 38. RULEMAKING. 39. ENFORCEMENT. § 30. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS: 1. "AI COMPANION" SHALL MEAN AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION SEVENTEEN HUNDRED OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW. 2. "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE" SHALL MEAN AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION SEVENTEEN HUNDRED OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW. 3. "CAREGIVER" SHALL MEAN A PUPIL'S PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR PERSON IN PARENTAL RELATION TO A PUPIL. 4. "CAREGIVER OPT-IN" SHALL MEAN WHEN A CAREGIVER HAS GIVEN CLEAR, UNAMBIGUOUS, AND INFORMED CONSENT TO A SCHOOL. EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. …
Sponsors
- Andrew Gounardes (D, 26) · primary sponsor
- Jamaal Bailey (D, 36)
- Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D, 23)
Latest actions
- : REFERRED TO RULES
Subjects: Education Law
Common questions
- What is S10685?
- S10685 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Enacts the "Fostering Optimal Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods.
- What does S10685 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act".
- What is the status of S10685?
- In committee as of August 21, 2026. Latest action: REFERRED TO RULES (August 21, 2026).
- Who sponsored S10685?
- Andrew Gounardes (D, 26), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S10685?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S10685
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.