Cellphones will be banned in Maine schools this fall

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff

Along with $300 relief checks, a millionaire tax and free community college gaining permanent status, the state budget signed by Gov. Janet Mills on April 10 includes a ban on cellphones at schools during regular school hours.

School boards will have until Aug. 1 to adopt and implement a policy “prohibiting use of personal electronic devices during the school day,” including cellphones and wearable devices, per Part GG of the supplemental budget.

The Maine Department of Education and Maine School Management Association will provide a model policy with certain exceptions for students with individualized health or education plans, or documented Section 504 accommodations.

The supplemental budget includes $350,000 for the department to help districts through the transition.

As of February, 38 states and Washington, D.C., had enacted some limits to student cellphone use. Nearly half had full-day bans or comprehensive statewide restrictions, according to reporting by Stateline.