ALBANY – Roughly 300 school districts across the state have submitted plans to go phone-free in the coming school year.

In accordance with a new state law prohibiting smartphone use during the school day, schools must publish a distraction-free policy by Aug. 1.

The requirement comes as state legislators push the governor’s “distraction-free schools” policy which prohibits smartphone use during school hours.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says the “bell-to-bell” smartphone ban is a step in the right direction toward students’ success.