June 12, 2025
Mr. Vindman (for himself and Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To require the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity to establish policy prohibiting the use of cellular phones and other distracting devices by students in DODEA schools, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Mission Utilize No Phones in Learning to Unleash Growth in Grades and Educate Distraction-free Act
or the Mission UNPLUGGED Act
.
Sec. 2. Policy prohibiting the use of certain electronic devices in DODEA schools
(a) In general
The Director shall establish and maintain a policy pursuant to which the use of covered electronic devices by students in schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity is prohibited during regular school hours.
(b) Additional requirements and exceptions
(1) Requirements
The policy required under subsection (a)—
(A)
shall provide administrators of individual schools with a degree of flexibility to determine the methods of enforcing the policy at their school, subject to such limits as the Director determines appropriate; and
(B)
shall include procedures that enable parents and children to contact each other during the school day in the event of an emergency.
(2) Exceptions
The policy required under subsection (a) shall include exceptions pursuant to which a student may use a covered electronic device—
(A)
in an emergency situation;
(B)
on school grounds outside of regular school hours, such as while awaiting transportation to or from school or while participating in extracurricular activities;
(C)
if the student has a medical or health condition requiring use of a covered electronic device as part of a treatment or monitoring plan as certified by a licensed healthcare provider;
(D)
if the student has a disability or special needs and the use of a covered electronic device is documented as necessary—
(i)
as part of an individualized education program;
(ii)
as an accommodation under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or
(iii)
under a similar policy or program of the Department of Defense Education Activity;
(E)
if the student is an English learner and requires the use of a covered electronic device to assist with learning or understanding the English language; and
(F)
in such other circumstances as the Director determines appropriate.
(c) Consultation
In developing the policy under subsection (a), the Director shall consult with—
(1)
the Chief Academic Officer and the District Superintendents of the Department of Defense Education Activity; and
(2)
School Advisory Committees for schools operated by the Activity.
(d) Implementation
The policy required under subsection (a) shall be established not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to school years beginning after the date on which the policy is established.
Sec. 3. Support for implementation at schools
(a) In general
The Director is authorized to provide support to schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity to assist such schools in the implementation of the policy required under section 2. Such support may include—
(1)
the procurement of lockboxes or other means for storing covered electronic devices during the school day; and
(2)
such other forms of support as the Director determines appropriate.
(b) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,207,500 for fiscal year 2026.
Sec. 4. Annual reports
(a) In general
Not later than one year after the policy required under section 2 first takes effect, and on an annual basis thereafter for the following four years, the Director shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the status of the implementation of the policy.
(b) Elements
At a minimum, each report under subsection (a) shall include a description of—
(1)
how the policy has been implemented in the year covered by the report;
(2)
the cost of implementation; and
(3)
any effects of the policy with respect to student performance and mental health, teacher and student retention, and other relevant outcomes.
Sec. 5. Definitions
In this Act—
(1)
The term covered electronic devices means—
(A)
cellular phones, including smartphones; and
(B)
any other personal electronic devices the Director determines—
(i)
are likely to distract students during the school day; and
(ii)
are appropriate for inclusion in the prohibition under section 2.
(2)
The Director
means the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity.
(3)
The term English learner has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(4)
The term individualized education program has the meaning given that term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401).