Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5346: Student mobile device use
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
Restricting mobile device usage by public school students.
What the bill says
An act Relating to student use of mobile devices in public schools; amending RCW 28A.650.010, 28A.650.050, and 28A.320.135; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to student use of mobile devices in public schools; amending RCW 28A.650.010, 28A.650.050, and 28A.320.135; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that student use of mobile devices in schools has had a multitude of negative effects on student outcomes. Mobile devices can be a constant distraction that disrupts the learning environment for all students. According to a study from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and as replicated by other researchers, the mere presence of a smartphone by a neighboring student lowers a nonphone student's test performance by about six percent. A study from the University of California, Irvine showed that it can take 20 minutes for students to refocus after each phone distraction and a separate study by the pew research center found that 72 percent of high school teachers in the United States say that cell phone distraction is a major problem in their classroom. (2) The legislature further finds that mobile devices can increase harm to students' mental health either by recording students without consent or through increased cyberbullying. Washington students are still recovering from the massive effects of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including severe learning loss and troubling trends in student mental health. (3) The legislature recognizes the need …
Sponsors
- Marko Liias (D) · primary sponsor
- Paul Harris (R)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
- Perry Dozier (R)
- Jessica Bateman (D)
- Leonard Christian (R)
- Noel Frame (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Curtis King (R)
- Deborah Krishnadasan (D)
- John Lovick (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 225, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 43; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 63; nays, 34; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 9, 2026): 43 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 4, 2026): 63 yea, 34 nay, passed
- House Committee on Education: Do pass as amended (February 23, 2026): 17 yea, 1 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 37 yea, 12 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5346 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (February 4, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, OFFICE OF (OSPI), SCHOOL DIRECTORS' ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON STATE
Common questions
- What is SB5346?
- SB5346 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Student mobile device use.
- What does SB5346 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to student use of mobile devices in public schools; amending RCW 28A.650.010, 28A.650.050, and 28A.320.135; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5346?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5346?
- Marko Liias (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5346?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5346&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.