104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2427
 
Introduced 2/7/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new
105 ILCS 5/27A-5-3 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new
    Amends the School Code. Provides that, on or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school board shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time, except as otherwise provided; and (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time. Provides that the policy may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time: (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes; (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual; (3) when a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 504 plan developed under Section 504; or (5) when the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials. Prohibits a district from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local law enforcement officer. Requires each school board to review the effectiveness of its wireless communication device policy at least every 3 years.


LRB104 12240 LNS 22347 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 
SB2427LRB104 12240 LNS 22347 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections 
510-20.88, 27A-5-3, and 34-18.88 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new)
7    Sec. 10-20.88. Wireless communication device policy. 
8    (a) As used in this Section, "wireless communication 
9device" means any portable wireless device that has the 
10capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data 
11communication between 2 or more parties, including, but not 
12limited to:
13        (1) cellular telephones;
14        (2) tablet computers;
15        (3) laptop computers;
16        (4) gaming devices; and
17        (5) wearable devices, including smart watches and 
18    smart glasses.
19    (b) On or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school 
20board shall adopt and implement a wireless communication 
21device policy that:
22        (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless 
23    communication device during instructional time, except as 
 
 
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1    otherwise provided in subsection (c); and
2        (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible 
3    storage of wireless devices during instructional time.
4    (c) The policy adopted and implemented under subsection 
5(b) may not prohibit a student from using a wireless 
6communication device during instructional time under the 
7following circumstances:
8        (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the 
9    student to use a wireless communication device for 
10    educational purposes;
11        (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent 
12    threat to the health or safety of an individual;
13        (3) when a licensed physician determines that the 
14    possession or use of a wireless communication device is 
15    necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or
16        (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a 
17    plan developed under Section 504 of the Federal 
18    Rehabilitation Act of 1973; or
19        (5) when the wireless communication device is 
20    necessary for students who are English learners to access 
21    learning materials.
22    (d) No district shall enforce this policy through fees, 
23fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local 
24law enforcement officer.
25    (e) Each school board shall review the effectiveness of 
26its wireless communication device policy at least every 3 
 
 
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1years.
 
2    (105 ILCS 5/27A-5-3 new)
3    Sec. 27A-5-3. Wireless communication device policy. 
4    (a) As used in this Section, "wireless communication 
5device" means any portable wireless device that has the 
6capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data 
7communication between 2 or more parties, including, but not 
8limited to:
9        (1) cellular telephones;
10        (2) tablet computers;
11        (3) laptop computers;
12        (4) gaming devices; and
13        (5) wearable devices, including smart watches and 
14    smart glasses.
15    (b) On or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school 
16board shall adopt and implement a wireless communication 
17device policy that:
18        (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless 
19    communication device during instructional time, except as 
20    otherwise provided in subsection (c); and
21        (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible 
22    storage of wireless devices during instructional time.
23    (c) The policy adopted and implemented under subsection 
24(b) may not prohibit a student from using a wireless 
25communication device during instructional time under the 
 
 
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1following circumstances:
2        (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the 
3    student to use a wireless communication device for 
4    educational purposes;
5        (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent 
6    threat to the health or safety of an individual;
7        (3) when a licensed physician determines that the 
8    possession or use of a wireless communication device is 
9    necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or
10        (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a 
11    plan developed under Section 504 of the Federal 
12    Rehabilitation Act of 1973; or
13        (5) when the wireless communication device is 
14    necessary for students who are English learners to access 
15    learning materials.
16    (d) No district shall enforce this policy through fees, 
17fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local 
18law enforcement officer.
19    (e) Each school board shall review the effectiveness of 
20its wireless communication device policy at least every 3 
21years.
 
22    (105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new)
23    Sec. 34-18.88. Wireless communication device policy. 
24    (a) As used in this Section, "wireless communication 
25device" means any portable wireless device that has the 
 
 
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1capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data 
2communication between 2 or more parties, including, but not 
3limited to:
4        (1) cellular telephones;
5        (2) tablet computers;
6        (3) laptop computers;
7        (4) gaming devices; and
8        (5) wearable devices, including smart watches and 
9    smart glasses.
10    (b) On or before the 2026-2027 school year, each board 
11shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device 
12policy that:
13        (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless 
14    communication device during instructional time, except as 
15    otherwise provided in subsection (c); and
16        (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible 
17    storage of wireless devices during instructional time.
18    (c) The policy adopted and implemented under subsection 
19(b) may not prohibit a student from using a wireless 
20communication device during instructional time under the 
21following circumstances:
22        (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the 
23    student to use a wireless communication device for 
24    educational purposes;
25        (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent 
26    threat to the health or safety of an individual;
 
 
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1        (3) when a licensed physician determines that the 
2    possession or use of a wireless communication device is 
3    necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or
4        (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a 
5    plan developed under Section 504 of the Federal 
6    Rehabilitation Act of 1973; or
7        (5) when the wireless communication device is 
8    necessary for students who are English learners to access 
9    learning materials.
10    (d) No district shall enforce this policy through fees, 
11fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local 
12law enforcement officer.
13    (e) Each board shall review the effectiveness of its 
14wireless communication device policy at least every 3 years.