SENATE BILL 11

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Crystal Brantley

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; DEFINING "ANTI-DISTRACTION POLICY"; REQUIRING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO ADOPT ANTI-DISTRACTION POLICIES TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND POSITIVE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS; PROVIDING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT AN ADOPTED ANTI-DISTRACTION POLICY; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 22, Article 5 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] ANTI-DISTRACTION POLICIES--DEPARTMENT DUTIES--REIMBURSEMENT.--

          A. As used in this section, "anti-distraction policy" means a policy voluntarily adopted by a local school board or charter school governing body that restricts student use of personal electronic devices during the school day.

          B. To promote academic success and positive social development for students, the department shall encourage the adoption of anti-distraction policies and, subject to appropriation, may reimburse a school district or charter school for the acquisition of specialized storage equipment necessary to implement an adopted anti-distraction policy."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Ten million dollars ($10,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to reimburse school districts and charter schools for the acquisition of specialized storage equipment necessary to implement an adopted anti-distraction policy. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.

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