PRINTER'S NO. 3384
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2746
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY DeLUCA, MILLARD, DIAMOND, LEWIS DELROSSO,
HENNESSEY AND WARNER, JULY 13, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JULY 13, 2022
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in pupils and attendance, providing
for possession of cell phones.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1317.4. Possession of Cell Phones.--(a) Except as
provided in subsection (b), a student of a public school entity
may not possess or use a cell phone during the school day in a
school building of the public school entity. The following
apply:
(1) Upon entering the school building at the beginning of
the school day, the student shall:
(i) deposit the cell phone in a lockbox or other secure
location for the duration of the school day; or
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(ii) secure the cell phone in a case or pouch with a locking
mechanism, if the locking mechanism prohibits the student from
accessing the cell phone during the school day, so that the
student may carry the cell phone during the school day.
(2) At the end of the school day, the student may:
(i) retrieve the cell phone from the lockbox or other secure
location; or
(ii) unlock the case or pouch with the locking mechanism.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a student if each of
the following apply:
(1) The student:
(i) is a member of a volunteer fire company, ambulance or
rescue squad; or
(ii) has a need for the cell phone due to the medical
condition of an immediate family member.
(2) T he school authorities of the public school entity
approve of the possession and use of the cell phone by the
student during the school day in a school building of the public
school entity.
(c) Each public school entity shall develop or update its
written policies to implement this section. The written policies
shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Education.
(d) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Public school entity" means a school district, independent
school, area career and technical school, intermediate unit,
charter school or regional charter school .
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20220HB2746PN3384 - 2 -
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