Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed legislation that directs school districts across California to draft and implement policies that will limit students’ use of cell phones during the school day.
Assembly Bill 3216, dubbed the Phone-Free School Act, requires every school district, charter school and county office of education to form their own set of guidelines by July 1, 2026. The bill was co-authored by Assembly member Josh Hoover of Folsom, who introduced the bill alongside Democratic Assembly members David Alvarez of Chula Vista, Josh Lowenthal of Long Beach and Al Muratsuchi of Torrance.
In August, Newsom previously voiced his opinion on the use of smartphones in schools and the potentially negative mental impact that they have on students.
