June 17, 2025
Mr. Banks (for himself and Ms. Slotkin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
To prohibit the use of smartphones at Department of Defense Education Activity schools.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Restoring Our Educational Focus on Children of U.S. Servicemembers at DODEA
or the REFOCUS DODEA Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on use of smartphones at Department of Defense Education Activity schools
(a) Regulations required
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, shall prescribe regulations prohibiting the use, during the school day, of smartphones by students in schools operated by the Activity.
(b) Additional requirements
In prescribing regulations under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that—
(1)
smartphones brought to schools by students are to be placed in phone lockers or other approved pouches or storage containers for the duration of the school day; and
(2)
appropriate exceptions are made to allow for smartphone use required for medical or other high-priority reasons, such as use in the event of emergencies.