Cell phones in public school: the ban through eighth grade

It is the law banning phones in public school through eighth grade, and not only in the classroom: it covers the entire school day, recesses included, and any activity the school organises. It brings three exceptions and, on the other side, a list of things the Department of Education must put in place by regulation — among them a safe place to store the devices and reasonable alternatives so you can reach your child during the day.

The prohibition reaches students of public educational institutions through eighth grade. Ninth grade and up are not in this law. Nor does it reach private schools: the law speaks of public educational institutions. The three exceptions are the law’s and apply within that universe.

• For the reasonable accommodation exception: that the accommodation exist and be approved, for health or disability reasons, and that it be issued upon the recommendation of or certified by a licensed physician.Verified against the official source
• For the emergency exception: that the emergency be duly justified, that the student need to communicate with their parents, legal guardians or emergency services, that it be under the institution’s personnel supervision, and with prior authorisation.Verified against the official source
• For the educational use exception: that the device be used for educational purposes under the direct supervision of a teacher or authorised personnel.Verified against the official source

Information pending verification.

1. 1

   Step 1: Through eighth grade, and the whole school day

   The two limits to be clear about are in the same sentence. The law “prohibits the use of personal portable electronic devices with access to digital telephony networks and the internet by students of public educational institutions through eighth grade, during school hours, including recesses and any activity organised by the institution.” It is not only the classroom: recess and school activities are inside.

2. 2

   Step 2: It is not only the phone

   The list surprises, above all for the headphones. “This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, tablets, digital watches, laptops, headphones, electronic gaming equipment, and any other communication equipment of a similar nature.” The phrase “but is not limited to” means the list is an example, not a closed catalogue.

3. 3

   Step 3: Exception one: educational use with direct supervision

   The law writes it with a condition worth not overlooking: the prohibition does not apply “when an electronic device is used for educational purposes under the direct supervision of a teacher or authorised personnel.” Direct supervision, not blanket permission.

4. 4

   Step 4: Exception two: emergency, with prior authorisation

   It is the one that matters most to families and it carries four conditions together. The prohibition does not apply “in duly justified emergency cases, where the student needs to communicate with their parents, legal guardians or emergency services, under the supervision of the educational institution’s personnel, with prior authorisation.”

5. 5

   Step 5: Exception three: reasonable accommodation with medical certification

   This is the route for a student with a health condition or disability who needs the equipment. The prohibition does not apply “when a reasonable accommodation for the use of such equipment exists and has been approved, for health or disability reasons, and it is issued upon the recommendation of or certified by a licensed physician.” The law asks two things at once: that the accommodation exist and be approved, and that it come by a licensed physician’s recommendation or certification.

6. 6

   Step 6: The school must give you another way to reach your child

   It is the duty most enforceable against the school and it comes written. The law provides that “institutions must offer reasonable alternatives for communication between students and their parents or legal guardians during school hours and establish a safe place to store the devices.” If there is no reasonable alternative, that duty is not being met.

7. 7

   Step 7: Who answers if the device is lost or damaged

   The law does not resolve it itself: it orders the regulation to, which is why it is worth asking the school for that regulation. It says the adopted regulations “must establish, among other things, who will be the person responsible for the handling, custody and security of the personal electronic devices during school hours, as well as provide a clear and unequivocal protocol for the reception, storage and safe return of the devices.” It must also define “what is considered ‘permitted use’” and the exceptions.

8. 8

   Step 8: What happens if the student does not comply

   The law sets no sanction: it assigns that to the Department. “The Department of Education is ordered to adopt by regulation a clear procedure or protocol on how school authorities and teachers will proceed when a student does not comply with this law’s norms.” It adds that the Department “will also inform and orient parents, teachers and students about the changes implemented by this Act.” Since we did not read that regulation, we publish no consequences or confiscation steps here.

9. 9

   Step 9: Since when it governs

   The law gives no grace period: “This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.” The certified copy we read carries the Department of State certification dated January 7, 2026.

There is no application to make for the ban: it governs on its own. If your child needs the device for health or disability reasons, the route is the reasonable accommodation, approved and issued upon a licensed physician’s recommendation or certification, and that is handled at the school and at the Department of Education. If what is missing is the reasonable communication alternative or the safe storage place, those are duties of the institution and the Department. If your matter is a special education complaint or the student’s general rights, those have their own guides here.

• Believing the ban is only in the classroom: it covers the whole school day, recesses and any activity organised by the institution included.
• Thinking it applies to all of high school: the law reaches through eighth grade.
• Assuming it reaches private schools: the law speaks of public educational institutions.
• Believing it only bans phones: the list includes tablets, digital watches, laptops, headphones and electronic gaming equipment, and it is not closed.
• Taking for granted that a student may use the phone in an emergency with no more: the law asks it be duly justified, under personnel supervision and with prior authorisation.
• Not requesting the reasonable accommodation when there is a health condition: the law contemplates it, approved and with a licensed physician’s recommendation or certification.
• Not demanding the reasonable communication alternative: the law obliges institutions to offer it during school hours.

These are the government pages this guide is based on.

• Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico

  Educación

  bvirtualogp.pr.gov