On January 21, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul issued the final plans for banning phone use in all New York state schools. This new policy would require all cell phones to be out of sight from the beginning of the school day, to the final bell. The governor states that this new policy would “Return them to a place of learning… A new statewide policy to make classrooms distraction-free, so our children can focus on the things that matter.” 

Hochul also claimed that she would put 13 million dollars in invoking this ban. Additionally, this plan will allow for schools to decide the measures of the policy and determine what they think fits best for their district/schools. Per this policy, students will be able to use items that don’t require the internet, and still have access to school owned computers or tablets for the classwork. 

This policy will also have room for exceptions catered to specific needs. For example, students who need smart phones for the sake of medical use will be permitted to keep cell phones on their person. Students who need devices for the sake of translation will also be allowed to keep their phones. The governor also made it clear that all schools are required to have a form of communication to families for all students to fill the space for the loss of communication between a parent and child through the phone ban. 

The phone ban will be put in force in the 2025-2026 school year for all schools in public school districts, charter schools, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).