Governor Hochul and Hudson Valley School Leaders Highlight Plans to Implement Bell-to-Bell Smartphone Restrictions This Fall

Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with Hudson Valley school leaders, parents and students to highlight their plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions when school resumes this fall. The roundtable included representatives of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown and Orange-Ulster BOCES — all of whom have already finalized their distraction-free policy. Today’s event follows previous roundtables held by the Governor this summer in New York City, the Capital Region, Central New York and the Finger Lakes.

“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York State will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to provide the resources and support to ensure that every school finalizes and publishes their distraction-free policy in the coming days.”

Governor Hochul also highlighted that, as of today, nearly 1,000 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES across New York State have submitted their distraction-free policy to State education officials — representing around 90 percent of the 1,098 total districts and schools covered by the statewide requirement. The remaining districts and schools are expected to finalize their policy in the coming days at upcoming school board meetings scheduled for August.

Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay said, "Distraction free learning has been proven to have positive impacts on students and their school experience. I'm proud to join Governor Hochul, Superintendent Amy Creeden, and Orange-Ulster BOCES to promote environments that reduce anxiety and bullying, while improving educational outcomes."

Orange-Ulster BOCES Chief Operating Officer Deborah Heppes said, "Thank you to Governor Hochul for working to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn without the constant distraction of cell phones, notifications, and the outside world. Reducing phone use during the day is a simple change that will have a big impact on student well-being. With support for implementation and a thoughtful approach, this transition will help students succeed socially, emotionally, and academically."

Enlarged City School District of Middletown Board of Education President Edwin Estrada said, “By working together with state leaders, educators, parents, and students, we’ve developed a policy that puts learning first. This is about creating environments where focus comes naturally, interactions are genuine, and every student has the best chance to excel.”

Enlarged City School District of Middletown Superintendent Amy Creeden said, "Classrooms work best when students are fully engaged in learning, not pulled away by constant notifications. This policy is about giving our students the time and space to focus, connect with peers face-to-face, and thrive academically. Thank you to Governor Hochul for making this initiative a statewide policy so all students have the opportunity to excel this academic year.”

The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-26 school year.

Governor Hochul’s policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

• Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell-to-bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
• Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
• Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
• Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
• Requiring teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
• Preventing inequitable discipline

Governor Hochul’s policy allows authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.

Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents and students. Her report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:

• Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
• Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
• Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
• Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
• Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
• An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
• Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming