HR 4005119th CongressIntroduced

UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Act of 2025

Introduced: Jun 12, 2025

EducationTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Act of 2025 would create a new grant program under Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The federal government would award grants to State Educational Agencies (SEAs) to help public schools implement personal electronic device policies that prohibit students from possessing or using personal devices during school hours. The policy would include specific exceptions (for health needs, disabilities/504 or IEP plans, English learners, instructional needs, and other cases determined by the SEA). Grants must be used to fund secure storage solutions (like lockers, lock boxes, or signal-blocking storage) to keep devices stored during school hours. The act also sets requirements for applying for grants, how funds are allocated to states, and certain definitions. The overall aim is to create distraction-free, device-free learning environments during school hours, with funding distributed to states based on a formula and with a small-state minimum.

Key Points

1Establishes the UNPLUGGED Schools Grant Program to fund state-level efforts to enforce a personal electronic device policy in public schools during school hours.
2Requires SEAs to have in place a comprehensive device policy with specific exceptions (health-related use, certain disabilities/IEP or 504 accommodations, English learners, and other appropriate cases) and to coordinate policy development with local districts, educators, parents, and students.
3Funds must be used for secure storage methods to store personal devices during school hours (e.g., lockable lockers, secure boxes, signal-blocking storage), in line with the policy.
4Application prerequisites for states include confirming policy compliance and ensuring channels for parent-school communication on time-sensitive matters (forgotten items, pick-up changes, etc.).
5Allocations to SEAs are formula-driven, with a small-state minimum and provisions to reallocate unused funds; there is no explicit total funding cap beyond what Congress appropriates (“such sums as may be necessary”).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Public school students and their families, particularly those whose devices are restricted during school hours.- Public school teachers and school staff who must enforce the policy and manage device storage and related communications.Secondary group/area affected- State Educational Agencies and Local Educational Agencies responsible for implementing and enforcing the policy and administering grants.- Device storage vendors and providers of secure storage solutions (lockers, lock boxes, signal-blocking solutions).Additional impacts- Potential effects on accessibility for students who rely on devices for health monitoring, communication, or instructional accommodations.- Administrative and compliance burdens for states and districts to develop, implement, and monitor policy adherence.- Possible implications for school communications with families regarding time-sensitive matters, given the requirement to support parent notifications and rapid communication.- Funding relies on future appropriations; no explicit dollar totals are set in the bill, which could affect planning and consistency across years.

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