AB 1644 would ensure California schools remain focused on learning, promote a stronger school climate, and allow flexibility for safety, health, and education purposes.
Torrance, CA – Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D–Torrance), Josh Hoover (R-Folsom), Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) introduced Assembly Bill 1644, the School Bell-to-Bell Smartphone Ban. This bill would require California public schools TK-12 to adopt clear, consistent "bell-to-bell" policies that limit student use of smartphones throughout the school day, with appropriate exceptions for safety, health, and educational purposes.
In 2019, Assemblymember Muratsuchi authored AB 272, which authorized all school districts and charter schools to restrict student smartphone use during the school day. In 2024, AB 3216 (Assemblymembers Hoover, Lowenthal, Wicks, Muratsuchi), took the next step to require all school districts, charter schools and county offices of education to adopt a policy to ban or restrict smartphones at school during regular school hours. AB 1644 further strengthens the law by joining the nationwide movement to require all California school districts and charter schools to adopt bell to bell bans on smartphone use by students during classroom instruction, with exceptions for pupil safety, health, and teacher-approved educational purposes. At least 10 states across the country, including New York and Texas, have adopted bell-to-bell smartphone bans in schools.
"AB 1644 is a bipartisan bill to enact a school bell-to-bell smartphone ban for all California schools," stated Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. "Research clearly shows that excessive smartphone use leads to negative academic and mental health outcomes, including reduced focus, increased depression and anxiety, and lower overall social and emotional well-being. Schools that have adopted bell-to-bell smartphone bans report improved academic outcomes, especially in disadvantaged communities, as well as a reduction in cyberbullying and other disciplinary problems. California should join New York, Texas, and other states in enacting a statewide bell-to-bell smartphone ban."
"Smartphones are incredible devices that can be helpful in so many ways. But they are also incredibly disruptive, distracting, and addictive—and we know that children's mental health, attention span, and social wellbeing are being impacted. AB 1644 simply reaffirms that school time is for learning and requires that local education agencies develop policies to prohibit smartphone use during those critical hours," said Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.
We are in the middle of a youth mental health crisis, and the research is clear: excessive smartphone use is making it worse. Right now, students are on their phones during passing periods, lunch, and every free moment — scrolling instead of connecting. AB 1644 creates bell-to-bell, phone-free schools across California so that time at school is spent on learning and on each other, not on adding to their screen time," shared Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal.
Teachers across the state report concerns with student behavior and learning tied to smartphone distraction. A nationwide study conducted over four years found that by age 14, about a third of the participants had become increasingly addicted to social media, and about a quarter had become increasingly addicted to their mobile phone (JAMA Journal, 2025). Excessive use has also proven to strain relationships with their classmates. To rebuild our students' success in the classroom, we must facilitate smartphone detachment during instruction.
"Data shows smartphone use during school hours distract our students, contribute to depression and anxiety, increase cyberbullying and lead to worse academic outcomes. It's become clear that we need to take further action to ensure our kids have a distraction free learning environment and help them rebuild healthy relationships with their fellow students." Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom)
"Physical distance is needed to create psychological distance," said Vihaan Bhardwaj, K-12 Policy Director, GENup. "No matter how many phone laws we pass, until we mandate a universal bell-to-bell ban, students like me will be irreversibly affected by the systemic facilitation of distracted, disconnected, and disenabling learning environments."
"A bell-to-bell phone policy is about protection. We have confused constant access with support. Real support includes creating environments where kids can focus, build relationships, and develop the skills they will need to thrive – this policy gives them that freedom. And importantly, it levels the playing field. Right now, the students who struggle the most with impulse control, attention, or social challenges are the ones most impacted by unrestricted phone use. A bell-to-bell policy doesn't single these students out—it supports them, quietly and universally. This is a mental health issue. This is an equity issue. This bill is a commonsense step forward. As both a clinician and a parent, I urge support for a bell-to-bell phone policy—not because it's easy, but because it's necessary," urged Selma Cooper, LMFT, Distraction-Free Schools California.
"TechNet and our member companies believe technology, used thoughtfully, should expand opportunity and improve lives. That also means understanding when it doesn't belong in the classroom. AB 1644 strikes the right balance by giving districts a clear, practical path to create more focused learning environments while preserving appropriate exceptions for students with health needs and legitimate academic uses," shared Jose Torres, Deputy Executive Director of TechNet.
University of California, Professor Martin Hilbert, PhD, added, "The future is surely digital. But when the automobile became the future of transportation, we did not hand a semitruck to an 8-year-old or a loaded tank to a teenager. A bell-to-bell ban is not anti-technology. It is how responsible adults guide children into a digital future they are not yet equipped to navigate unsupervised, while rules, norms, and customs for the digital age are still being developed."
"Our students' relationships with their phones has changed dramatically in recent years. It's time our laws reflected the urgency of this schoolwide distraction". Chris Knight, Distraction-Free Schools California.
Amid rising mental health concerns among youth, AB 1644 offers a meaningful solution for students, teachers, and families. Research shows that heavy smartphone use is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption—factors that negatively impact students' ability to focus and succeed in the classroom, particularly during instructional time. The bill will be heard in the Assembly Education Committee on April 22, 2026.
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi represents California’s 66th Assembly District, which includes El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, San Pedro and Torrance.
CONTACT: Xochitl Murillo: (916) 319-2066