WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 14, 2026 - As 2026 state legislative sessions wind down, the organizations behind the Phone-Free Schools State Report Card released a yearbook of superlatives and recognitions for states that passed strong phone-free schools policies this year and spotlights the states that fell short.
The Phone-Free Schools State Yearbook for the Class of 2026 highlights the 11 states that passed or strengthened their phone-free schools laws since the launch of the report card this January. In total, 41 states have phone-free schools laws or executive orders with 24 states banning phones for the entire school day (bell-to-bell).
“With debates in several states ongoing, we anticipate over 25 states will have bell-to-bell policies by the end of this year,” said Emily Rapp, policy director for the Institute for Families and Technology.
“Every student in America deserves distraction free-learning,” said Deb Schmill, founder of the Becca Schmill Foundation. “The yearbook commends those states that passed strong phone-free schools policies this legislative session."
Indiana and Kansas were recognized for passing some of the strongest bell-to-bell laws in the country, but confusing implementation guidance issued post passage has raised concern. Maryland was awarded “Most Improved” after skyrocketing from an “F” to a “B” grade for passing a strong bill in May. Connecticut, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Washington all received “F’ grades for failing to pass legislation this session.
View the entire Class of 2026 Yearbook for even more class distinctions and superlatives recognizing states’ progress here.
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The Phone-Free Schools State Yearbook for the Class of 2026 was released by leading child safety and well-being organizations, including The Anxious Generation Movement, Smartphone Free Childhood US, Institute for Families and Technology, and Becca Schmill Foundation.