LAC 28:CXV.1141. Electronic Telecommunication Devices

A. No student, unless authorized by the school principal or his/her designee, shall use or operate any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, intercom, or electro-mechanical paging system, in any public school building or school grounds or in any school bus. B. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, no student shall possess, on his person, an electronic telecommunication device throughout the instructional day, including wearable technology capable of sending or receiving text messages and other similar notifications. 1. If a student brings an electronic device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during an instructional day, the electronic device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of the instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the instructional day. 2. The provisions of Subsection B of this Section are not applicable to any student whose IEP, IAP, Section 504 Plan, or IHP requires the use of an electronic telecommunication device. C. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the use and operation by any person, including students, of any electronic telecommunication device in the event of an emergency in which there is actual or imminent threat to public safety. D. No later than January 1, 2025, each LEA shall adopt a policy to implement the provisions of this Section. 1. Such policy shall include, but not be limited to: a. A definition for instructional day to include start and ending times of the instructional day; b. Applicability of this Section to school-sponsored events, including athletic competitions and field trips, taking place during an instructional day; c. Acceptable means by which parents or guardians may contact students during the instructional day; d. Prohibition of students from utilizing school-issued devices to access personal messaging features and social media accounts not used for educational purposes; and e. Disciplinary regulations for a student who fails to comply with the policy on one or more occasions. 2. Prior to the adoption of such policy, the LEA must seek feedback from parents, students, teachers, administrators, and other school stakeholders. Solicitation of feedback may be satisfied through public comment received during an open meeting of the school board prior to final adoption. E. No later than March 1, 2025, the LEA shall submit to the LDOE a copy of the local policy adopted in accordance with this Subsection.