00                      CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 57(EDC)                                                                     
01 "An Act relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; and                                          
02 providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1. AS 14.33 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                  
05                Article 5. Wireless Telecommunications Devices.                                                        
06 Sec. 14.33.300. Wireless telecommunications device policy. (a) The                                                    
07 department shall develop and adopt a model policy that prohibits the use of nonschool-                                  
08 issued wireless telecommunications devices in public schools during regular school                                      
09 hours, including lunch and passing periods. The policy must allow exceptions for                                        
10 students to use a wireless telecommunications device for medical purposes, in the                                       
11 event of an emergency, or when a teacher or administrator of the school grants                                          
12 permission to a student to use a wireless telecommunications device for educational                                     
13       purposes.                                                                                                         
14            (b)  Each school district shall adopt a policy that prohibits students from                                  

01 possessing or using a nonschool-issued wireless telecommunications device during                                        
02 regular school hours, including lunch and passing periods. Each school district shall                                   
03 share this policy with parents or guardians, students, volunteers, and school                                           
04 employees. The policy must allow exceptions for students to use a wireless                                              
05 telecommunications device for medical purposes, in the event of an emergency, or                                        
06 when a teacher or administrator of the school grants permission to a student to use a                                   
07 wireless telecommunications device for educational purposes. A school district may                                      
08 either develop and adopt its own policy or adopt the model policy developed under (a)                                   
09       of this section.                                                                                                  
10 (c)  This section does not authorize a person to monitor, collect, or access                                            
11       information related to a student's use of a wireless telecommunications device.                                   
12 (d)  In this section, "wireless telecommunications device" means any portable                                           
13 wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data                                      
14       communication between two or more parties.                                                                        
15    * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                          
16 read:                                                                                                                   
17 REPORTS. (a) Not later than June 30, 2026, a school district shall report to                                            
18 Department of Education and Early Development describing the policy the school district                                 
19 adopted under AS 14.33.300(b) and the effect of the policy on student academic achievement                              
20 and behavior in the school district.                                                                                    
21 (b)  Not later than July 31, 2026, the Department of Education and Early Development                                    
22 shall prepare a report that describes, for each school district, the implementation process of                          
23 policies adopted under AS 14.33.300(b) and the outcomes of prohibiting the use of                                       
24 nonschool-issued wireless telecommunications devices, including the effect on student                                   
25 academic achievement and behavior. The Department of Education and Early Development                                    
26 shall make the report available to the public, submit the report to the senate secretary and the                        
27 chief clerk of the house of representatives, and notify the legislature that the report is                              
28 available.                                                                                                              
29    * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect July 1, 2025.