Maine is taking a bold step to reclaim the school day: starting in 2026–27, students’ personal cell phones will be off-limits from the first bell to the last, giving classrooms a chance to focus on learning, connection, and wellbeing. The new law includes $350,000 in state funding to help districts implement the policy, with schools encouraged to use the resources for practical supports such as lockers to keep devices securely stored during the school day.
Governor Janet Mills highlighted the initiative in her February State of the State address, and Representative Holly Sargent of York was instrumental in sustaining legislative support during the budget process. Turn the Tide Coalition, a statewide network of more than 1,000 parents, educators, and health professionals, helped build momentum for the statewide policy while advocating for distraction-free classrooms since 2023.
Maine Enacts “Bell-to-Bell” Phone-Free School Law
The Turn the Tide Coalition celebrates historic win for Maine’s students
Bill Language
By August 1, 2026, a school board shall adopt and implement a policy prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices for the duration of the school day, from starting bell to dismissal bell. The policy must restrict student use of cellular telephones and other personal electronic devices with Internet or cellular network capabilities. The Department of Education, in coordination with the Maine School Management Association or a successor organization and other relevant stakeholders, shall make available a model policy for school boards. The model policy must include exceptions for compliance with a student's individualized education program, a documented accommodation under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United 28 States Code, Section 794 (2026) regarding an individual student, the delivery of prescribed medical care as outlined in a student's individualized health care plan and language support services for a student who is an emergent English language learner when no other translation option is available.
[PART GG 17 Sec. GG-1. A MRSA §1001, sub-§23, as enacted by PL 2025, c. 210, §1, is 18 repealed and the following enacted in its place: 19 23.]
Implementation Guide
The Turn the Tide Coalition has compiled evidenced-based best practices for school implementation as schools prepare for the August 1 deadline. These guidelines prioritize that phones are stored at the start of the day, remain inaccessible until the final bell, and that students are prohibited from carrying phones on their person or in backpacks.
Now that Maine has passed a bell-to-bell phone policy statewide, we would love to celebrate this win together! Please share your thoughts and this form with anyone looking forward to phone-free schools this fall. THANK YOU for being part of the movement!
“Since the cell phone ban at Deering High School, we have seen a dramatic improvement in student engagement. Students are now more focused during class discussions, more willing to open up and share their ideas. The engagement isn’t just happening in the classroom, either; it’s happening in unstructured conversations with peers and in casual conversations with staff. ... It feels a little like the world before the invention of the smartphone. ”
JANUARY 27, 2026 PRESS RELEASE
Governor Janet Mills Announces Phone-Free Schools Initiative
The Turn the Tide Coalition applauds Maine Governor Janet Mills’ recent announcement of a statewide initiative making all Maine school days cell phone-free—from first bell to last bell—beginning in Fall 2026. This transformative action, announced during last night’s State of the State address, marks a major win for Maine’s children, families, and educators—and represents a meaningful step toward healthier, more focused learning environments across the state.
The Turn the Tide Coalition– a statewide network of more than 1,000 Maine parents, educators, experts, and healthcare professionals—has spent the past two years advocating for responsible technology use in schools while working with lawmakers to improve learning environments for Maine students.
For years, parents, teachers, and students have witnessed firsthand how nearly constant access to smartphones during the school day interferes with learning, social connection, and student well-being. Governor Mills’s leadership reflects what both research and lived experience have made clear: children learn, connect, and thrive best when they are fully present.
This policy sends a strong and necessary message that Maine is prioritizing:
Classroom focus and academic engagement
Student mental health and emotional well-being
Social development and school connectedness
Equitable learning environments for all students
We are deeply grateful to Governor Mills for listening to families, educators, and experts. Maine follows approximately 20 other states nationwide that have adopted bell-to-bell limits on student cell phone use throughout the school day.
The Turn the Tide Coalition, alongside aligned organizations across the country, looks forward to supporting districts as this policy is implemented thoughtfully and inclusively, with appropriate accommodations for medical needs and individualized education plans. Last night’s announcement represents progress, leadership, and hope, and we celebrate this moment with communities across Maine.
This is a win for kids. A win for classrooms and teachers. And a win for Maine.
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For more information, contact Stacy Taylor: 207-939-4000 | connect@turnthetidecoalition.org
Janet Mills State of the State address, Tuesday, January 27, 2026
General Information
What happens when schools ban cell phones
CBS Evening News, Oct 29, 2025
A recent report estimates on average, America's young people spend over seven hours a day looking at a screen. Now more than two dozen states are limiting scrolling through phones while in school.
Information for Parents, Teachers and Advocates
“Schools should ensure that classroom learning and social time are phone-free experiences.”
-US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, in the the New York Times, June 17, 2024
