Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

Contracts

• Student Code of Conduct: Must be amended to reflect the mandatory ban and the removal of return fees.
• Vendor Agreements: If your district opts for physical locking mechanisms (e.g., Yondr pouches or lockers), procurement contracts must be expedited immediately to ensure delivery before the fall semester.
• Disposal Services: Contracts with electronics recyclers should be reviewed to ensure they provide certificates of data destruction, as you may now dispose of unclaimed devices after 90 days.

Hiring/Training

• Staff Training: Teachers must be trained on the new definition of "personal communication device," which now explicitly includes smartwatches.
• Liability Protocols: Staff must be trained on "chain of custody." By confiscating property without the ability to charge a fee, the district acts as a gratuitous bailee. Staff must secure confiscated items in locked storage immediately to avoid district liability for theft or loss.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Exemption Registry: Administrators must create a verified list of students exempt from the ban due to:
• 1. Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
• 2. Section 504 plans.
• 3. Documented directives from a qualified physician.
• Disposal Notice: You must update your notification forms. If a device is unclaimed, you must provide 90 days' written notice (previously 30) to the parent before disposing of the device. The requirement to notify the telecommunications carrier has been removed.

Fees & Costs

• Fee Elimination: The $15 administrative fee for device return is illegal as of June 20, 2025. Remove this revenue line item from campus budgets immediately.
• Hardware Costs: Budget for secure storage solutions (safes for front offices, locking pouches, or classroom lockers) as indicated in the Fiscal Note.