Massachusetts Senate Democrats advanced legislation Tuesday that requires all public schools to implement a “bell-to-bell” ban on student access to personal electronic devices like cell phones during the school day.

Supporters of the proposal argued that students perform better when they are not distracted by cell phones, that less screen time encourages face-to-face interactions, which can boost relationships with peers, and that high school teachers largely find cell phones in the classrooms to be a nuisance.

Senate President Karen Spilka, who has called for a statewide cell phone ban before the start of the new school year, and Sen. Jason Lewis, the co-chair of the Education Committee, said pushing the bill forward brings the state one step closer to making schools cell phone-free.

“The cell phone is one of the most distracting devices ever created,” the two Democrats said in a statement. “Overwhelming evidence shows us that cell phones are major barriers to student growth and achievement in the classroom, and they make it harder for our talented educators to teach.”

As of last week, 32 states had a law or policy on the books covering K-12 classroom or school cell phone usage, according to Ballotpedia. Twenty-five states, including Vermont and New York, ban or limit cell phones in classrooms.

The issue has gained momentum in Massachusetts, where top Democrats like Gov. Maura Healey have publicly supported reining in cell phone usage in classrooms.

The bill that Senate Democrats advanced out of the Legislature’s Education Committee requires all public schools and districts to implement policies for student use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities before the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.

After clearing the Education Committee Tuesday, the proposal is on track to land in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which is led by Sen. Michael Rodrigues, a Westport Democrat, and serves as a clearinghouse for major bills destined for floor votes.

“As legislators, neighbors, and parents, it is incumbent upon us to ensure classrooms are places where young people focus, learn, and thrive. We look forward to seeing the bill’s continued progress as it moves to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means,” Spilka and Lewis said in their statement.