South Carolina School Cell Phone Law (Proviso 1.95): What It Requires

South Carolina ties State Aid to Classrooms funding to a State Board policy barring student access to phones and smartwatches from arrival to dismissal. It rests on an annual budget proviso, not a permanent statute, and also covers accessories such as earbuds.

State lawsBy Brian Ohebshalom and Noah Fakheri, LockedIn’s co-founders

Published February 13, 2026Updated October 23, 20264 min read

South Carolina school cell phone law: key facts

Enacted (bell-to-bell)

Statute or action: FY 2026–27 Appropriations Act (H. 5126), Proviso 1.95, + State Board of Education model policy
Signed or issued by: Gov. Henry McMaster, July 3, 2024
Takes effect: In place since the 2024–25 school year; 2026–27 is the third school year
Scope: Arrival (tardy bell) to afternoon dismissal; districts may extend it to buses, field trips and athletic events
Exceptions: Access explicitly required by an IEP, Medical Plan or 504 plan, Volunteer firefighters or emergency-organization members with superintendent permission, Classroom use approved in writing by the superintendent or designee
Enforcement: Devices and accessories stored in lockers, backpacks or as the district directs; progressive consequences; State Aid to Classrooms funding is tied to compliance

Mechanism: annual budget proviso, now Proviso 1.95 of the FY 2026–27 Appropriations Act (H. 5126), plus the State Board of Education model policy
School districts and charter districts must implement the State Board policy to receive State Aid to Classrooms funds
Carried forward each year since Proviso 1.103 (FY 2024–25) and Proviso 1.99 (FY 2025–26)
"Access" means viewing, holding, wearing or otherwise using a device
Devices and accessories are stored in lockers, backpacks or as the district directs; districts may ban possession
Covers phones, smart watches, tablets, gaming devices and accessories such as earbuds
S. 65 (2025), a bill to put a classroom-instruction ban in statute, was referred to Senate Education with no further action

Funding: Phone-free school grants and paste-ready application language.

Primary source: FY 2026–27 Appropriations Act (H. 5126), Proviso 1.95, + State Board of Education model policy(opens in a new tab). Last verified October 23, 2026. Not legal advice: confirm with your counsel.

Yes. South Carolina has a statewide budget proviso and State Board policy on student phones in school. South Carolina ties State Aid to Classrooms funding to a State Board policy barring student access to phones and smartwatches from arrival to dismissal. It rests on an annual budget proviso, not a permanent statute, and also covers accessories such as earbuds.

What Proviso 1.95 requires

• To receive State Aid to Classrooms funds, a school district or charter district must implement the State Board of Education policy that prohibits student access to personal electronic devices during the school day
• Students may not access devices, or wear or access device accessories, from arrival to afternoon dismissal unless authorized for classroom use
• Devices and accessories must be stored in lockers, backpacks or as the district directs; districts may forbid possession
• Access is allowed when explicitly required by an IEP, Medical Plan or 504 plan; volunteer firefighters or emergency-organization members may carry a device with written superintendent permission
• Violations carry progressive consequences under the student code of conduct
• The policy must appear in the district's published rules and standards of conduct and in the student handbook

The emergency wording for every state, D.C. and Puerto Rico is in school phone ban emergency exceptions by state.

The key provision, verbatim

“During the school day, students are prohibited from accessing their personal electronic devices, unless authorized for classroom use. Students may not wear or access device accessories during the school day.”
Source: S.C. State Board of Education model policy, § II.A

Timeline

July 3, 2024Gov. Henry McMaster acts on the FY 2024–25 budget (H. 5100), which includes Proviso 1.103
January 14, 2025S. 65, a bill to codify a classroom device ban, is introduced and referred to Senate Education
July 1, 2025FY 2025–26 budget (H. 4025) carries the rule forward as Proviso 1.99
July 1, 2026FY 2026–27 begins without a budget; a continuing resolution (Act 262 of 2026, S. 769) keeps the FY 2025–26 provisos, including Proviso 1.99, in force
August 11, 2026General Assembly ratifies the FY 2026–27 Appropriations Act (H. 5126, R 276), which carries the rule forward as Proviso 1.95 and now names charter districts; the Governor’s Aug. 17 line-item vetoes leave it intact

Where phones must be kept

Model policy § II.A: students "must store their devices and device accessories in lockers, backpacks, or otherwise as directed by the school district"; devices "should be powered off," and districts may forbid possession.

Because South Carolina's budget proviso and State Board policy calls for devices to be stored in lockers, backpacks or as the district directs, software on a student's phone does not by itself meet the storage requirement. App-based locking, including LockedIn, can add to the storage the budget proviso and State Board policy calls for, not replace it.

Checklist for South Carolina administrators

Confirm your district has adopted the State Board model policy and placed it in the student handbook and code of conduct
Set where devices and accessories are stored (lockers, backpacks or another method) and whether possession is banned
Decide whether the policy extends to buses, field trips and athletic events
Keep written records of IEP, Medical Plan, 504, first-responder and superintendent-approved classroom-use exceptions
Apply progressive consequences under the student code of conduct

Frequently asked questions

When does South Carolina's Proviso 1.95 take effect?

Effective date and deadlines for Proviso 1.95: In place since the 2024–25 school year; 2026–27 is the third school year.

Is there a cell phone ban in South Carolina schools?

Yes. Districts must follow a State Board of Education policy, tied to State Aid to Classrooms funding, that bars students from accessing phones and similar devices from arrival to afternoon dismissal.

Can South Carolina students keep phones in their backpacks?

Yes, unless the district says otherwise. The model policy lets students store devices in lockers, backpacks or as the district directs, says devices should be powered off, and lets districts ban possession.

Are earbuds and smartwatches banned in South Carolina schools?

Yes. The policy covers smart watches and device accessories, including wearable technology such as earbuds, which students may not wear or access during the school day.

Is South Carolina's school phone ban a state law?

It rests on a budget proviso, renewed in each year's appropriations act (Proviso 1.95 for FY 2026–27), and a State Board of Education policy. A bill to codify a ban (S. 65) did not advance.

Does the South Carolina phone ban apply to private schools?

No. Proviso 1.95 ties the requirement to State Aid to Classrooms funding for school districts and charter districts.

How many states have school cell phone laws?

As of October 27, 2026, 44 states and D.C. have a statewide law, executive order or state board policy that requires public schools to restrict student phones or adopt a phone policy, and South Carolina is one of them. 6 states have no statewide requirement.

Sources for South Carolina

Phone rules change with new bills, administrative rules and local board policy. Checked against these sources on October 23, 2026. Not legal advice: confirm with counsel before you adopt policy language.

Compare every state: which states ban phones in school, or find your state’s education agency through the U.S. Department of Education’s state contacts.