H.R. 4005

119 HR 4005 IH: Utilize No Phones in Learning to Unleash Growth in Grades and Educate Distraction-free Schools Grant Act of 2025
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-06-12
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 4005  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   June 12, 2025   Mr. Vindman  (for himself and  Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Education and Workforce    A BILL
To amend title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Utilize No Phones in Learning to Unleash Growth in Grades and Educate Distraction-free Schools Grant Act of 2025   or the   UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Act of 2025  .
2.
UNPLUGGED Schools Grants
(a)
In general
Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
G
UNPLUGGED Schools Grants.
4701.
Grant program authorized
The Secretary shall establish a grant program to be known as the  Utilize No Phones in Learning to Unleash Growth in Grades and Educate Distraction-free Schools Grant Program  or the  UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program  to award grants to State educational agencies to support public schools with implementing a personal electronic device policy described in section 4702(a).
4702.
Eligibility
(a)
Personal electronic device policy required
To be eligible to receive a grant under this part, a State educational agency shall be required to have in effect a policy, designed in coordination with each local educational agency served by the State educational agency and in consultation with educators, parents, and students, that applies to each public school served by each such local educational agency that prohibits student possession or use of personal electronic devices in public schools during school hours. Such policy may permit exceptions—
(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, as certified by a licensed healthcare provider;
(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 );
(3)
on an individualized basis, for students—
(A)
who are English learners;
(B)
who have a demonstrated need for a personal electronic device to facilitate instruction; and
(C)
acquire documentation in support of subparagraph (A) and (B) in accordance with procedures established by the State educational agency; and
(4)
for additional students as determined appropriate by State educational agencies.
(b)
Rule of construction
Nothing in this part shall be construed as preempting or otherwise preventing a State, State educational agency, local educational agency, or public school from enacting or enforcing policies or procedures regarding student possession or use of personal electronic devices during school hours, on school grounds, or during school activities that is more restrictive than a personal electronic device policy described in subsection (a).
4703.
Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this part, a State educational agency shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including—
(1)
a certification that the State educational agency has in effect a personal electronic device policy that satisfies the requirements described in section 4702(a); and
(2)
a certification that the State educational agency permits public schools and local educational agencies served by the State educational agency to develop policies and procedures that enable—
(A)
parents to notify students through public school personnel about forgotten items, changes in pick-up times, and other common issues; and
(B)
public school personnel to communicate with parents regarding time-sensitive matters.
4704.
Use of funds
A State educational agency that receives a grant under this part shall use such grant to acquire secure storage methods for use at public schools for safely storing personal electronic devices in accordance with a personal electronic device policy described in section 4702(a).
4705.
Allocations to State educational agencies
(a)
In general
From the total amount appropriated under section 4707 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each State educational agency that has an approved application for a grant under this part an amount that bears the same relationship to the remainder as the amount that the State of such State educational agency received under subpart 2 of part A of title I for the preceding fiscal year bears to the amount all States received under that subpart for the preceding fiscal year.
(b)
Small State minimum
No State educational agency receiving an allotment under this paragraph shall receive less than one-half of 1 percent of the total amount allotted under this paragraph.
(c)
Reallotment of unused funds
If a State educational agency does not receive an allotment under this part for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reallot the amount of the allotment that such State educational agency would have received to the remaining State educational agencies in accordance with this part.
4706.
Definitions
In this part:
(1)
Individualized education program
The term  individualized education program  has the meaning given such term in section 602(14) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1401(14) ).
(2)
Mobile phone
The term  mobile phone  means any handheld communication device with cellular, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth capability, including smartphones and similar devices.
(3)
Personal electronic device
(A)
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term  personal electronic device , when used with respect to a device possessed or used by a student, includes a mobile phone, smartwatch, laptop, tablet, and other handheld or wearable device with communication, internet, or multimedia capabilities.
(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)
Public school
The term  public school  means—
(A)
a public elementary school; and
(B)
a public secondary school.
(5)
School hours
The term  school hours  means the period from the start of the instructional day (as defined by the State educational agency) until the end of the instructional day.
(6)
Secure storage methods
The term  secure storage methods  means storage solutions that are designed to keep personal electronic devices safely and securely stored and to prevent students from accessing such devices during school hours without permission, including—
(A)
lockable lockers;
(B)
secure lock boxes;
(C)
magnetic pouches or other signal-blocking storage devices; and
(D)
other storage solutions as determined appropriate by the State educational agency.
4707.
Authorization of appropriations
To carry out this part, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary.
  .
(b)
Table of contents
The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4644 the following new items:
Part G—UNPLUGGED Schools Grants
Sec. 4701. Grant program authorized.
Sec. 4702. Eligibility.
Sec. 4703. Application.
Sec. 4704. Use of funds.
Sec. 4705. Allocations to State educational agencies.
Sec. 4706. Definitions.
Sec. 4707. Authorization of appropriations.
  .