Bill · S. 2092· Senate(119-S-2092)
REFOCUS DODEA Act
- Introduced
- 6/17/2025
- Last activity
- 6/17/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Jim Banks
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "REFOCUS DODEA Act," seeks to prohibit students from using smartphones during the school day at Department of Defense Education Activity schools. The Secretary of Defense, working with the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, would be required to create these regulations within 30 days of the Act's enactment. Under these rules, students would need to keep their smartphones in phone lockers, approved pouches, or other storage containers for the entire school day. However, the regulations must include exceptions for medical needs or other high-priority situations like emergencies.
Yes
Would children be better off under this?+5
The bill potentially improves focus and structure for students by limiting smartphone distractions.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+3
The bill explicitly includes exceptions for medical needs, supporting those with health-related device requirements.
Would students be better off under this?+2
While restrictive, the bill aims to restore educational focus and provides exceptions for emergencies/medical needs.
The opposite
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?-2
This may negatively impact young adult students' ability to use personal devices during the school day.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Structured Storage for Devices: The bill requires that smartphones brought to school be kept in phone lockers, pouches, or approved storage containers during the school day (Section 2(b)(1)). This ensures that devices are kept in a designated place rather than being carried by students during class.
-
Safety and Health Exceptions: The regulations must allow for smartphone use when required for medical reasons or other high-priority needs, such as emergencies (Section 2(b)(2)). This provides a safeguard for students who may need their devices for health management or urgent situations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Student Device Use: The bill mandates a prohibition on the use of smartphones by students during the school day (Section 2(a)). This limits the ability of students to access their personal devices while on school grounds.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+5Good For People With Disabilities+3Good For Students+2Good For Young Adults-2
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jon HustedRepublican · Ohio
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan