What is the Florida state law on school phones?

Wireless communications device restrictions in public schools (HB 379 (2023), extended by HB 1105 (2025)) — bell-to-bell ban, effective 2023 for instructional time; extended 2025-26.

Can Broward County Public Schools use locking pouches?

Yes. Locking pouches keep the phone with the student but sealed for the school day, so the district meets its storage or bell-to-bell requirement without taking custody of student property. Minimum order is 100 pieces, with about 2 weeks for unbranded pouches and 3-4 weeks for branded large quantities.

Broward County Public Schools cell phone policy

Broward County Public Schools serves roughly 250,000 students across the Fort Lauderdale area in Broward County. Its phone rules sit under Florida's HB 379 (2023), extended by HB 1105 (2025), which is bell-to-bell ban effective 2023 for instructional time; extended 2025-26.

Metro

Fort Lauderdale

Enrollment

250,000

State law

Bell-to-bell ban

Does Broward County Public Schools ban cell phones?

Yes. Broward County Public Schools requires phones to be put away for the full day in elementary and middle schools and during instructional time in high schools.

District rule: Full-day ban in elementary and middle schools. For the statute, the exceptions and the timeline, see the Florida phone policy guide.

Enforcing a phone-free day across Fort Lauderdale

Writing the policy is the easy part. Holding it in place across every classroom in a district this size is the part that fails. Three models are in use:

Central collection

Phones handed in at the door. The district becomes responsible for thousands of devices and dismissal turns into a queue.

Staff-policed rules

Zero hardware cost, but enforcement is uneven from teacher to teacher and drifts within a term.

Locking pouches

Each student keeps their own phone, locked in a pouch, all day. Magnetic key stations at exits release them in seconds. Bought outright and reused each year.

Close-up of a hand unlocking a PhoneLock pouch on a wall-mounted magnetic key station — A fixed magnetic key station at each exit is what makes a pouch policy survive dismissal in a district the size of Broward County Public Schools. Students release their own pouch in a couple of seconds, staff never take custody of a device, and the same pouches are reused the following school year.

Next steps for Broward County Public Schools

1. Pick a pilot — one campus or one grade level. MOQ is 100 pouches.
2. Decide branded or unbranded. Unbranded ships in about 2 weeks, branded large quantities in 3-4 weeks.
3. Plan magnetic key stations at each exit — GS 12000 or GS 14000 depending on throughput.
4. Send parents the policy note and emergency contact route before day one.

Procurement documents

PhoneLock for schools Yondr pouch alternative All US states

Broward County Public Schools — FAQs

Yes. Broward County Public Schools requires phones to be put away for the full day in elementary and middle schools and during instructional time in high schools.

Locking pouches for Broward County Public Schools

Buy outright, reuse every year. MOQ 100 pcs, about 2 weeks unbranded and 3-4 weeks branded.

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