Gov. Ferguson details proposed statewide ban on phones in Washington schools

SPOKANE — Gov. Bob Ferguson unveiled details Friday of his proposed Phone-Free Schools Act, calling smart devices in classrooms “extremely distracting” and noting students lose tens of days of learning each year to screen time.

Speaking at a Spokane Public Schools event alongside administrators, teachers, and students, Ferguson outlined a statewide framework that would require personal electronics to be stored away during the school day. Under the plan, devices must be placed in classroom caddies, front desk storage, or lockable pouches rather than kept in student backpacks or pockets.

“These devices are, to put it mildly, extremely distracting in an academic setting,” Ferguson said, citing research showing students spend a quarter of their school day on phones—amounting to roughly 41 days of lost learning annually.

The proposal includes exceptions for students with Individualized Education Plans, 504 plans, medical requirements, or specific family caregiving responsibilities, such as assisting an aging parent.

To prevent disciplinary disparities that emerged during early rollouts in other states, the legislation mandates that no student be suspended for violations during the policy’s first year.

Ferguson plans to prefile the Governor Request Bill on Dec. 7 ahead of the upcoming legislative session in January. If passed, the statewide policy will take effect in September 2027.

Ferguson emphasized that a uniform state policy comes at virtually no cost while improving learning outcomes. He predicted that within a decade, every state will have similar measures in place.

Photo courtesy Washington State Governor’s Office of Gov. Bob Ferguson (center) making announcement

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Elkhorn Media Group