Connecticut school phone policy status (2026): Connecticut's House passed a bell-to-bell ban (HB 5035) on April 27, 2026, but the Senate took no action before the 2026 session adjourned. State Board of Education guidance from 2024 remains the only statewide framework. Here's what administrators need
Connecticut does not have a statewide phone-free school law in effect. HB 5035 (2026, House-passed; died in Senate) would have established a statewide ban but did not pass. Phone policy in Connecticut remains a local-board decision — and most districts have already adopted their own phone-free rules ahead of any statewide action.
Where Connecticut Stands on Phone-Free Schools
- • Bill: HB 5035 — passed House 117–31 on April 27, 2026
- • Status: died in Senate at 2026 session adjournment (May 7, 2026)
- • Proposed scope was bell-to-bell with devices stored on arrival
- • Sponsors expected to refile in 2027 session
- • Existing: 2024 State Board of Education guidance (non-binding)
Why Connecticut Schools Are Acting Now
Even without a state mandate, Connecticut districts that move proactively report fewer disciplinary referrals, higher classroom focus, and stronger parent communication. Waiting for legislation often means scrambling later.
Three enforcement models
- • Physical pouches (e.g., Yondr): high per-student cost, daily distribution logistics, and limited compliance data.
- • District storage (lockers, cubbies, classroom caddies): lowest cost but relies on staff to police compliance.
- • Device-level software (LockedIn): OS-level locking, geofencing, and automated compliance reporting — no daily logistics.
Why Connecticut schools choose LockedIn
LockedIn is a software-based phone-free campus solution built for Connecticut's schools. It provides
OS-level device locking,
campus geofencing, real-time monitoring, and automated compliance reports — exactly what Connecticut administrators need to demonstrate that the policy is being enforced. Unlike physical pouches, there's no hardware to lose, replace, or distribute. See our full
comparison of phone-free campus solutions or the
LockedIn vs Yondr pouches guide.
Verify the law in Connecticut
Read the primary source — HB 5035 (2026, House-passed; died in Senate) — and confirm the latest guidance with your state agency before adopting policy.
See our complete phone-free school laws by state directory for legislation updates across all 50 states + DC.
Get started
Connecticut schools can be phone-free in less than a day with LockedIn. Use our free phone-free school policy generator to draft a compliant policy, then contact our team to deploy district-wide.