# Education (GED)

## Title 7. Public Schools

### Subtitle 1. General Provisions

#### Section 7-138

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Academic school day" means any structured or unstructured learning experience that occurs from when the first bell rings at the start of the school day until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day, including instructional periods, lunch, recess, passing periods, and transitional periods.

  (3)

    (i) "Electronic communication device" means any portable electronic device carried or transported by a student to receive, send, or record voice, image, or text content, including cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, wireless earbuds or headphones, geolocation devices, and any other device with communication functions.

    (ii) "Electronic communication device" does not include an electronic communication device provided by a county board for instructional purposes.

  (4) "Social media platform" means an Internet-based application, website, or digital service that enables users to create, share, or view content or to interact with other users through profiles, accounts, feeds, messaging, comments, reactions, or similar social features, and that is primarily designed to facilitate social interaction, user-generated content, or content distribution to a broad or semi-public audience.

  (5) "Store" means to secure in a manner determined by the county board.

(b) This section does not apply to the Maryland School for the Blind or the Maryland School for the Deaf.

(c) Not later than the 2027-2028 school year, each county board shall develop and implement a policy to prohibit the use of electronic communication devices by students during the academic school day.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the policy developed under this section shall:

  (1) Prohibit a student from using an electronic communication device during the academic school day;

  (2) Require a student to store the student's electronic communication device during the academic school day;

  (3) Prohibit a student from accessing or using a social media platform during the academic school day; and

  (4) Require administrator approval for the use of a personal electronic communication device for educational purposes when a school-issued electronic communication device is unavailable.

(e) The policy developed under this section may not prohibit a student from using an electronic communication device:

  (1) For a student with a disability, for reasonable accommodations related to a disability, including for any purpose in the student's individualized education program or 504 plan;

  (2) To monitor or address a student's documented health issue;

  (3) To access language translation tools to ensure educational equity for multilingual students when school-issued electronic communication devices are not available or sufficient for this purpose; or

  (4) For the purpose of meeting caregiving responsibilities, as approved by a principal.

(f) Each county board shall:

  (1) Engage parents, students, educators, and community stakeholders in the development and revision of the policy, including determining enforcement of the policy; and

  (2) Publish and make the policy available in multiple languages in student handbooks, on the school's and county board's websites, and at school events.

(g)

  (1) A policy developed under this section shall include appropriate disciplinary measures for violations of the policy.

  (2) The disciplinary measures adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be tiered disciplinary measures enforced by an administrator.

  (3) A disciplinary measure adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not include suspension or expulsion solely for a violation of the policy.

(h) On or before September 1, 2027, each county board shall submit to the Department a copy of the electronic communication device policy in the local school system implemented under this section, including:

  (1) A description of the policy's:

    (i) Storage and security requirements and any related grade-level differentiations established in the policy;

    (ii) Discipline measures and any related grade-level differentiations established in the policy;

    (iii) Instructional use protocols; and

    (iv) Emergency communication plans; and

  (2) Documentation of stakeholder engagement in the development of the policy.

(i) On or before December 1, 2028, the Department shall publish on the Department's website a report that compiles the electronic communication device policies of each county board submitted to the Department under subsection (h) of this section.

(j)

  (1) Each county board shall send to the Department an updated copy of the electronic communication device policy developed and implemented under this section.

  (2) The Department shall publish on its website a copy of each county board's electronic communication device policy submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(k)

  (1) On or before July 30, 2028, and each July 30 until July 30, 2033, each county board shall submit a report to the Department on the impacts of the implementation of the electronic communication device policy, including:

    (i) Compliance and enforcement data, including related disciplinary referrals disaggregated by student demographic subgroups; and

    (ii) Equity and accommodation data, including the number and types of exemptions to the policy granted by schools in the county.

  (2) The Department, in consultation with local school systems, shall determine the best method to submit the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the Department, including within existing reporting requirements.

(l) The Department shall adopt regulations to implement the requirements of this section.

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Md. Code Ann., Educ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)