State Rep. Josh Hoover District 7 | Official U.S. House headshot
State Rep. Josh Hoover District 7 | Official U.S. House headshot
The Senate Education Committee has unanimously approved a bill aimed at limiting smartphone use in California schools. The legislation, known as AB 3216, was authored by Assemblymembers Josh Hoover (R-Folsom), Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), and Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach). It mandates that school districts in the state adopt policies by July 1, 2026, to restrict or prohibit student smartphone use during school hours. The committee passed the bill with a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Assemblyman Josh Hoover emphasized the importance of this measure for student mental health and academic performance. "This is a critical step toward protecting and improving the mental health and academic outcomes of students across California," he stated. Hoover highlighted research indicating that smartphone use among children can lead to lower test scores, anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
Governor Gavin Newsom recently expressed support for reducing smartphone use in schools. Additionally, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has implemented a policy banning smartphones during school hours.
Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, who co-authored the bill and chairs the Assembly Education Committee, commented on its significance: "I am pleased to join Assemblymember Hoover in this bipartisan effort to require California school districts to place limits on student smartphone use on campus during school hours." He noted that his previous legislation in 2019 encouraged such limits due to concerns about learning interference and teenage mental health issues.
Current laws already allow school districts to limit or ban smartphones during school days. Many districts have reported positive outcomes from these restrictions, including improved social interactions among students and better academic results. A study conducted in 2016 found that removing smartphones from classrooms led to an average increase of six percent in standardized test scores.
AB 3216 seeks to extend these benefits statewide by enforcing similar limitations across all districts. The bill will now proceed to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
Josh Hoover represents Assembly District 7, which includes several cities and communities within California.
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