[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6142318,"mediaKeyId","5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c","parentId",5558676,"title","Senate advances statewide \"bell‑to‑bell\" cell phone ban for K‑12, sets DESE guidance and 2026 implementation","audioSeconds",1558,"startMs",1478000,"endMs",3036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c&start=1478&end=3036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c/thumbnail_1478000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6142318/Massachusetts/Senate-advances-statewide-belltobell-cell-phone-ban-for-K12-sets-DESE-guidance-and-2026-implementation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142318-2ab9ff363cafd090f5929a729a2ec191/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455949&Signature=ZuoYyr-ZLN9QlcAUlKIUv6j3T7c-bjTO3gdSngETiwjvRhsGMg5QWkVmR0n3xoGu43Blj0T9GZTTLUJREFj6qbQ91-3s7~T0EMMvjq0kHxFnmt8g2APpscJJdsOr7P63Tu4I2LBf3C3CqPtbSpAUE2E9L-cNmrBMVd8tszeMezxAUTV74QL7PMXkK7I5NrTS1vKa2CkWizGuK2XD-ZFwFG9ZFnbIOhk9TwLEpA~5z73PZDfSp9Y4jl1s03-otOPc1rlEqkGH0R7ZapZ-UnFzLaiqqm5TGRygGpvtIm-7qU811YscUEH-t-SWU6SQ1W~U~Hl-rEItC4yDkgqYS5HH~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-07-31T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Lewis introduced Senate Bill 2561, “an act to promote student learning and mental health,” telling colleagues the bill would require Massachusetts K‑12 public schools to implement a “bell‑to‑bell” restriction on student possession and use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the full school day.
The legislation would require each district to adopt a policy by the start of the 2026–27 school year. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) must solicit public input and produce guidance, recommendations and a model policy within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. Local districts would be able to adopt or adapt DESE’s model and must publicly notify families and submit policies to DESE.
The bill lists three specific exceptions districts must allow in their policies: where a device is needed for a student with a disability as documented in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan; where there is a documented medical need (for example, students who use a device to manage diabetes); and where students leave campus for an educational purpose (for example, dual enrollment, internships, or vocational training).
Senators speaking in favor framed the bill as evidence‑based and supportive of academic performance, mental health and safety. Senator Lewis cited research (Ohio University study) showing classroom bans increased note‑taking and test scores in some studies; Senator Cyr described the bill as “common sense” and said it would help districts reclaim learning time. The senator identified as the senator from Westfield, chair of the committee on mental health, described students’ experience with phones as an “alarm fire” for mental health and cited local reports of improved behavior and engagement where bans were implemented.
Floor discussion also covered implementation concerns: several senators stressed the bill preserves local control by requiring districts to write and implement their own policies and by allowing targeted exceptions; Senator Kenney urged DESE and local school committees to design policies that reflect each community’s needs. Senators emphasized that the bill does not restrict the use of technology for legitimate educational purposes (laptops, tablets or phones used as classroom instructional tools when directed by teachers).
On procedure, Senator Lewis asked that the vote be taken by a call of the yeas and nays; a sufficient number of members stood and the Senate agreed to record the vote at the appropriate time. The Senate proceeded with debate; the transcript records the Senate moving to concur in a House amendment with a further amendment on a different health bill earlier in the session and returning to the education bill for second‑to‑third reading consideration.
Discussion versus decisions: the Senate debated and signaled broad bipartisan support through floor speeches and procedural moves; the transcript records the Senate moving the bill toward a recorded vote and setting statutory implementation deadlines (DESE guidance within 180 days; local policies in place for the 2026–27 school year) but does not record the final roll call tally for final passage of this bill in the supplied transcript excerpt.
Why it matters: supporters said a statewide, bell‑to‑bell approach—rather than limiting restrictions to classrooms—maximizes academic gains, reduces cyberbullying and distractions, supports teacher effectiveness and may reduce some drivers of youth anxiety and depression. Implementation timing and DESE guidance were included in the bill text as floor speakers described it.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session of July 31, 2025 (Part 1 of 2)","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Lewis introduced Senate Bill 2561, “an act to promote student learning and mental health,” telling colleagues the bill would require Massachusetts K‑12 public schools to implement a “bell‑to‑bell” restriction on student possession and use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the full school day.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6142323,"Senate advances $1.185 billion chapter 90 transportation financing, rejects municipal reporting amendment",0,239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c&start=239&end=239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6142323/Massachusetts/Senate-advances-1185-billion-chapter-90-transportation-financing-rejects-municipal-reporting-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142323-89fcbce7779c2221724980767c4bcb98/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455949&Signature=o7K-2~CJsHd2qq-1hK64zYL2Q6cH2v-lgCAiyFaaFssfTiQ5lRH5VOKcKY6uftgIfsEhFjcDy15G6Aq4sfYZum~c6G8cFDRstlL8TRvS9Z1kMs6k83dofvrEsAdbDanrnGSwudpUDtkYq9ZXb~D3e4NgkmjhhRomeSpNGc7KMpBlzFdxNlH6-GyTNPYJvPewefJDk8idJ5rokvakXkU54ZYAlr7b2yiLHjiTkqeg~UGdo4t0N2pLFL7xvqnvizVwbns-WNQMbiZN3~Wf4ACTOpLyANMVzNAYmaZzbiWcK7~dNqCJa0yDR-dvw4~kL6iaG~fAPiAA0AHQTRLcFQ65kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Crichton urged support for House Bill 4307 on the Senate floor, calling it “an act financing the long term improvements to municipal roads and bridges,” and described the measure as an expanded chapter 90 program that authorizes $1,185,000,000 in borrowing to fund municipal road and bridge repairs.
The bill directs money into multiple programs, including $500,000,000 for bridge and pavement life‑cycle asset management, $200,000,000 for culvert and small bridge repair and replacement, $200,000,000 for Chapter 98 purposes, $100,000,000 allocated under a road‑miles formula aimed at rural communities, and $185,000,000 for capital projects to ease traffic congestion.
Why it matters: the measure increases the Commonwealth’s bonding capacity by directing fair‑share appropriations through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and expands funding for rural and resiliency projects that municipalities rely on for repairs and climate adaptation.
On the floor Senator Keenan offered Amendment 1 to require municipalities to report any unspent chapter 90 balances and provide plans for how they will spend those funds. Keenan said the bill’s existing language that the department “shall encourage long term capital plans” was too weak and that the amendment would add specificity by mandating reporting of unspent money and planned uses. The Senate rejected Keenan’s amendment: “All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The noes have it. The amendment is not adopted.”
Senator Tarr and others offered a separate amendment to earmark funding for the Lawrence Municipal Airport (located in North Andover), describing the airport as an “engine of economic development for the entire region.” That amendment was not adopted.
After floor amendments were resolved the Senate passed the bill to be engrossed. The Senate also approved the emergency preamble for the bill with a recorded standing vote reported as 9 in favor and 0 opposed, adopting the emergency preamble required for enactment votes on bonding measures.
Discussion versus decisions: the Senate debated distribution formulas and authorization length (some members asked for a two‑year authorization window to provide more predictability), but the formal actions recorded on the floor were the rejection of Keenan’s reporting amendment, the rejection of the Lawrence Municipal Airport earmark, passage of the bill to be engrossed, and adoption of the emergency preamble.
Implementation and next steps: as the chair and several senators noted, the bill will require final enactment votes and a two‑thirds vote at enactment because it is a bond measure; senators urged timely action so municipalities can capture the construction season.
Details and background: sponsors said the bill uses “innovative financing strategies” and a revised formula to weigh road miles more heavily to help rural communities; it also includes funding aimed at improving climate resiliency of existing roadway infrastructure. The bill builds on prior chapter 90 authorizations, which several speakers described as historically smaller (previous session bills authorized $375,000,000 each).","The Senate passed legislation (House Bill 4307) authorizing $1.185 billion in borrowing for roads, bridges, culverts and related transportation programs, after defeating an amendment that would have required municipalities to report unspent chapter 90 balances and their plans for those funds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6142308,"Committee recommends sick‑leave bank bills for two public employees be passed",162,76000,238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c&start=76&end=238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c/thumbnail_76000.jpg","/articles/6142308/Massachusetts/Committee-recommends-sickleave-bank-bills-for-two-public-employees-be-passed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142308-9a2eb07a1883a7e617a5a802b50171a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455949&Signature=QNxHoFzMks9RXJaRg4srIOqDqk0u6a~por6rgKgWqC5TU1Y~JieRLuqspcUq9CzMTRL1FaaP7HZz2FV6XWYILMWxcx2Nt2uDgOMnaDORkCGMDGZZqladXRRidxyiQD6WhfwKuAJbKKhNTQO0yn622ZtT3K07bi7ZA3RR0tZ3VAQLxdWujrOjvrsSSiR6lfezM4tDpQLY1NVZrpvKD5LyvIG4NC4uww3B6Lqc38lbYvYLKctpnmnhw~UH8sQ6dllSn3TRdlHDtE4FWYV3o9i~L0A2XF7-l-Ds3fqHIJvUEvPc9OytHsm5rS7ONnSAyCoPl5zcmHARJJkyqZZ7lIFatQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Public Service reported that the accompanying bills to establish sick‑leave banks for two named employees ought to pass. The committee recommended passage for a bill to establish a sick‑leave bank for Gregory Baker, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, and for a bill to establish a sick‑leave bank for Carlos Borges, an employee of the Department of Corrections.
Senators moved to suspend rules to consider the measures forthwith and ordered both bills to a third reading. The clerk recorded that the bills were ordered to a third reading after voice vote: “All those in favor say aye, opposed no. The ayes have it. The bill is ordered to a third reading.”
Discussion versus decisions: the transcript records committee reports and the Senate’s procedural votes to suspend rules and order the bills to third reading; the excerpt does not include final passage votes on these specific bills.
Implementation and next steps: ordering to third reading advances the bills toward final floor consideration; further floor action (third‑reading vote) will determine final passage.","The Committee on Public Service reported favorably on bills to establish sick‑leave banks for two named employees: Gregory Baker of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office and Carlos Borges of the Department of Corrections; the Senate ordered the bills to a third reading.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6142313,"Senate adopts Fattman amendment and passes Upton land disposition bill to be engrossed",75,734000,809000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c&start=734&end=809","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558676-bb25bc40ce16b1c5770e1f5dfc28693c/thumbnail_734000.jpg","/articles/6142313/Massachusetts/Senate-adopts-Fattman-amendment-and-passes-Upton-land-disposition-bill-to-be-engrossed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142313-a453c9cbbd9d6f051241fc29ed4fb6a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455949&Signature=jjIGKOX85J7OEuOiW-NKM4OsZ0e50Q7EdLZY2FMZTOwqjBAXJqrjhv-R6nNyUyyAUe2Yb1imIFd21oXyGrZzIXCHQ3f0rIM1wqdpwepkgozLf2xKiDATPLXEm6MQSS7kZq8RduF7vwL74J7FvQ1t7Q7Izl4dmCVIZXximn7F5J2Zqr8h-l-rFRScq0Yylwq5Nl6unFx9k42ObqigZvVv47ZD5CcE6uNyhTNpIwMihVDMCgkA822D3acXEnugLbjWMaGsHTE0xyT-McMlPINUNHGu9OJv7pMoLJpGe0QstFkO9p6V2BK4jwyGG7Q-LI~DXY3gsxjYTR~eKDgNrnCFlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Fattman offered a substitute draft titled “an act providing for the disposition of certain property in the town of Upton,” for Senate No. 2576. The Senate adopted Senator Fattman’s amendment by voice vote: “All those in favor say I oppose, no. The ayes have it. Senator Fattman’s amendment is adopted.”
Following adoption of the amendment, the Senate passed the bill as amended to be engrossed.
Discussion versus decision: the transcript records the substitution of a new draft and adoption of the Fattman amendment and a motion to pass the bill to be engrossed; no additional floor debate or floor objections are recorded in the provided excerpt.
Implementation and next steps: with the amendment adopted and the bill passed to be engrossed, the bill will proceed through the usual legislative and enactment steps.","The Senate substituted a new draft (Senate No. 2576) to authorize disposition of certain conservation and recreation parcels in the town of Upton, adopted an amendment offered by Senator Fattman, and passed the bill to be engrossed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate advances statewide "bell‑to‑bell" cell phone ban for K‑12, sets DESE guidance and 2026 implementation

Senate advances $1.185 billion chapter 90 transportation financing, rejects municipal reporting amendment

Committee recommends sick‑leave bank bills for two public employees be passed

Senate adopts Fattman amendment and passes Upton land disposition bill to be engrossed