Supporting Focus in Schools Act

Ruben Gallego

Democrat · AZ · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

2026-09-30

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-09-30. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5636 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5636 To establish a grant program to support restricting the use of cellular phones and other personal electronic devices at eligible schools during instructional time. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 30, 2026 Mr. Gallego introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To establish a grant program to support restricting the use of cellular phones and other personal electronic devices at eligible schools during instructional time. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Focus in Schools Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) ESEA terms.--The ``elementary school'' and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (2) Eligible school.--The term ``eligible school'' means an elementary school or secondary school that-- (A) receives funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and (B) has a personal electronic device policy as described in section 3(b). (3) Personal electronic device.-- (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the term ``personal electronic device'', when used with respect to a device possessed or used by a student, includes a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, smartwatch, or other cellular phone, or another similar device. (B) Exception.--The term ``personal electronic device'' does not include a laptop or tablet that-- (i) a student is authorized by the school of the student to use during school hours; (ii) is used by such student only for instructional purposes; and (iii) is restricted from accessing social media platforms, personal email, personal messaging applications, texting services, and other non-academic applications during school hours. (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education. SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program through which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible schools to enable those eligible schools to carry out activities described in subsection (d) that support a school ban on personal electronic devices in accordance with a policy described in subsection (c). (b) Application.--An eligible school desiring to receive a grant under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including the eligible school's personal electronic device policy described in subsection (c). (c) Personal Electronic Device Policy Required.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an eligible school shall be required to have in effect a policy that prohibits student use of personal electronic devices in the school during school instruction hours. Such policy shall permit exceptions, as approved by a school administrator-- (1) for students with health conditions that require the use of a mobile phone or other personal electronic device as part of a treatment or monitoring plan; (2) for students with disabilities or special needs for whom access to a mobile phone or other personal electronic device is-- (A) documented as necessary in an individualized education program; or (B) included as part of services or accommodations provided to the student pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) (commonly referred to as a ``Section 504 plan''); and (3) for an emergency.…

(d) Uses of Funds.--An eligible school that receives a grant under this Act shall use grant funds to carry out 1 or more of the following activities: (1) Purchase equipment that will support the personal electronic device policy of the school, such as phone lockers, phone pouches, or similar storage devices or equipment. (2) Provide professional development and training to teachers and school staff about how to support the school's personal electronic device policy. SEC. 4. REPORTING. Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this Act, an eligible school shall submit a report to the Secretary that contains information about the effect of the activities carried out using grant funds under this Act, including any effect on academic outcomes at the eligible school. <all>

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