WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 26, 2026 - Leading child safety and well-being organizations, The TAG Movement , Smartphone Free Childhood US, Institute for Families and Technology, and Becca Schmill Foundation, announced today that Pennsylvania’s new law earned a “B” grade on the Phone-Free Schools State Report Card.
Pennsylvania is now the 25th state to pass a law or executive order requiring schools go phone-free for the entire school day or from “bell-to-bell.” The Keystone State previously received an “Incomplete” as multiple bills were pending before the legislature.
S.B. 1014 sponsored by Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-PA) and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), establishes a statewide, bell-to-bell phone-free school policy in Pennsylvania for the 2027-2028 school year for all public and non-public schools. Senate co-sponsors Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-PA) and Sen. Steven Santarsiero (D-PA), as well as Rep. Mandy Steele (D-PA), lead sponsor for the House bill, served as integral champions on the issue.
“We’re proud to announce Pennsylvania as the 25th bell-to-bell state,” said Deb Schmill, founder of the Becca Schmill Foundation. “This new law will reduce distractions at school and give students across the Commonwealth the space to build real relationships.”
“We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Sen. Robinson, Rep. Steele, Sen. Hughes, and Sen. Santarsiero to free students from their personal devices for the entire school day,” said Emily Rapp, policy director for the Institute for Families and Technology. “This landmark achievement highlights that lawmakers are willing to work across the aisle to prioritize our children.”
Bell-to-bell policies mandating phones are inaccessible while at school are considered the grade “A” standard under the Report Card’s criteria. These policies are proven to enhance academic performance, improve students’ mental and physical health, increase teacher satisfaction, protect student safety and privacy, and deepen school community relationships.
More information about Pennsylvania’s grade can be found here.
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About the Phone-Free Schools State Report Card
Launched in 2026, the Phone-Free Schools State Report Card is published by leading child safety and well-being organizations, including The TAG Movement, Smartphone Free Childhood US, Institute for Families and Technology, and Becca Schmill Foundation. The report evaluates whether the laws in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., meet the gold standard for phone-free schools: policies requiring all students to store their personal electronic devices in secure, inaccessible locations for the entire school day (bell-to-bell).