§ 583.
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§ 583. Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices in schools
(a)Model policy.
(1)The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Vermont School Boards Association, the Vermont Independent School Association, and a representative from the Vermont Coalition for Phone and Social Media Free Schools, shall develop, and review at least annually, a policy to, subject to the exceptions in subdivision
(2)of this subsection, prohibit student use of cell phones and non-school-issued personal electronic devices that connect to cellular networks, the internet, or have wireless capabilities at school from arrival to dismissal.
(2)The model policy shall provide exceptions for students to use a cell phone or personal electronic device if such use is:
(A)required as part of a student’s individualized health care plan, individualized education program, or 504 plan, which shall be documented according to applicable State and federal law; provided, however, that if such use is required to meet an international student’s special education needs or as part of a disability accommodation, and the international student does not have an individualized education program or 504 plan, the need for such use shall be documented in a manner the school deems appropriate;
(B)approved by an administrator for an academic, school-sponsored athletic, or cocurricular purpose, for the most limited use reasonably possible; or
(C)required for compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11431–11435.
(b)Policy adoption.
(1)Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, each school board shall develop, adopt, ensure the enforcement of, and make available in the manner described under subdivision 563(1) of this title a student cell phone and personal electronic device use policy that shall be at least as stringent as the model policy developed by the Secretary. Any school board that fails to adopt a policy shall be presumed to have adopted the most current model policy published by the Secretary.
(2)Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, each approved independent school shall develop, adopt, and ensure the enforcement of a student cell phone and personal electronic device use policy that shall be at least as stringent as the model policy developed by the Secretary. Any approved independent school that fails to adopt a policy shall be presumed to have adopted the most current model policy published by the Secretary. (Added 2025, No. 72, § 17, eff. June 27, 2025.)