WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5346

SB 5346: Student mobile device use

Addressing student use of mobile devices in public schools.

Summary

  • Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to report to the Legislature on policies and procedures adopted by public schools for limiting student use of mobile devices during instructional hours.
  • Requires the OSPI to post research on student use of mobile devices and best-practice strategies for teaching students to use mobile devices responsibly.
  • Modifies the authority of school districts to regulate student possession and use of mobile devices.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5346), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 225, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 17, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 4, 2026
  3. Passed SenateFeb 11, 2026
  4. Passed HouseMar 4, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 25, 2026
  6. LawMar 25, 2026
Prime sponsor
Marko Liias (D-21)
Introduced
January 17, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
March 25, 2026
Session law
Chapter 225, Laws of 2026
Companion bill
HB 1122
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5346, SSB 5346

AN ACT Relating to student use of mobile devices in public schools;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Marko Liias (D-21)

12 co-sponsors (8 Democrats, 4 Republicans)

Paul Harris R-17Sharon Shewmake D-42Perry Dozier R-16Jessica Bateman D-22Leonard Christian R-4Noel Frame D-36Bob Hasegawa D-11Curtis King R-14Deborah Krishnadasan D-26John Lovick D-44T'wina Nobles D-28Jesse Salomon D-32

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 11, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 5346
37 Yea 12 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat24600
Republican13600
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 4, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 5346
63 Yea 34 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56201
Republican73200
How each member voted

Yea (63)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 9, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 5346
43 Yea 4 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28002
Republican15400
How each member voted

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026. (SSB 5346)
  2. Chapter 225, 2026 Laws. (SSB 5346)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5346)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5346)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5346)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5346)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 43; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SSB 5346)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (SSB 5346)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 63; nays, 34; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5346)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5346)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. (SSB 5346)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 5346)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5346)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5346)
  15. ED - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 5346)
  16. ED - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5346)
  17. First reading, referred to Education. (SSB 5346)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5346)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5346)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5346)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5346)
  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  24. EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5346)
  25. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5346)
  26. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5346)
  27. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  28. Minority; without recommendation.
  29. EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  30. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  31. First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 5346 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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