The State Board voted 11–1 to give MSDE permission to publish proposed COMAR 13A.08 rules implementing the Phone Free Schools Act, after staff outlined research favoring off‑person storage and the board debated an unsuccessful amendment about the term 'conveniently.' The regulations set exemptions and require LEAs to adopt local policies by 2027–28.

Senate File 508, a proposal to prohibit cell phones for K–8 students during the school day and limit classroom use for high school students, was laid over after more than an hour of testimony from psychologists, school leaders, teachers, parents and students debating student mental-health benefits, evidence from districts with bans, and local-control and safety concerns.

The House Education Committee voted narrowly to send Senate Bill 198 to the 40th legislative day, effectively halting a proposal that would have required school districts to ban student cell‑phone use for the entire school day.

Speakers urged the district to provide Orton‑Gillingham for dyslexic students, remove devices from pre‑K, and develop clear AI policies. Administration said pre‑K devices will be removed next year and professional learning on dyslexia will be provided; trustees agreed to draft resolutions on AI and testing research.

At a joint House Education and Health committee hearing, psychologists, school resource officers, teachers and school leaders presented evidence that personal smart devices distract students, correlate with poorer academic and mental-health outcomes, and can complicate emergency response; witnesses urged a statewide framework that preserves local flexibility and targeted exceptions.

School officials emphasize clear communication of student electronic device policies to parents.

Several districts told the board their local rules — from strict phone bans to replacing 1:1 take-home Chromebooks with classroom carts — corresponded with fewer disciplinary incidents, more in-school engagement and higher library use, though officials emphasized local tailoring and supports for families.