# Mission UNPLUGGED Act: Plain Language Summary

This bill requires schools run by the Department of Defense to ban students from using cell phones and other distracting electronic devices during regular school hours. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) operates schools on military bases and serves children of military families around the world. Under this new policy, students would need to put away their phones, tablets, and similar devices while classes are in session, though schools would have some flexibility in how they enforce this rule.

The ban includes several important exceptions to keep things practical. Students can still use their devices in genuine emergencies, outside of class time (like while waiting for the bus), and during extracurricular activities. Kids with medical conditions requiring device use—like diabetes monitors or seizure alert systems—would be exempt. Students with disabilities or special education needs documented in their individualized education plans can continue using devices if necessary for their education. English language learners can also use devices to help them understand English. Additionally, the policy requires schools to maintain emergency contact procedures so parents and children can reach each other if something urgent happens during the school day.

To help schools implement this policy, the bill provides about $1.2 million in funding to purchase lockboxes or other storage solutions for devices. Individual school administrators get to decide the specific enforcement methods that work best for their school, rather than having a one-size-fits-all approach. The Department of Defense has 180 days to create the official policy after the bill passes, and schools would start following it in the school year after that. The bill also requires annual reports for five years describing how the policy is working, what it costs, and whether it affects student performance, mental health, and teacher retention.