Jennifer Tripucka 
Governor Phil Murphy signed new bipartisan legislation today requiring all New Jersey school districts to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. The bill was signed at Ramsey High School in Bergen County and follows the governor’s earlier push for phone-free schools during his 2025 State of the State address. The policy will become effective in the 2026-2027 school year. Read on for more about the new ban on cellphones in New Jersey public schools.
About the Law
The new law directs the New Jersey Department of Education to issue statewide guidelines restricting non-academic use of cell phones and other internet-enabled devices in K–12 schools, including during school hours, on buses, and at school-sponsored events. Local boards of education will be required to adopt policies aligned with those guidelines, with implementation beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
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Governor Murphy said the move is designed to reduce distractions and improve student well-being, noting that schools with phone-free policies have already seen students become more focused, less anxious, and more socially engaged. Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer added that the guidelines will emphasize practical implementation, secure storage, staff training, and equitable enforcement.
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The Department of Education expects to release updated guidance in mid-January. The state has already laid groundwork through its Phone-Free Schools Grant Program, awarding grants to 86 districts to help cover costs like storage pouches, training, and student engagement efforts.
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State lawmakers, educators, and mental health advocates widely praised the legislation, citing research that links reduced phone use to improved academic performance and better mental health outcomes for students.
Supporters say the policy strikes a balance between limiting distractions and allowing districts flexibility to meet local needs.
With this new law, New Jersey joins a growing number of states moving toward bell-to-bell phone-free school days—aiming to refocus classrooms on learning, connection, and student well-being. Several local New Jersey school districts have enacted their own cell phone bans, including Jersey City, Ocean City, and Newark Public Schools.
