Governor Hochul Launches Her Statewide Push for Distraction-Free Schools by Governor Kathy Hochul

January 22, 2025 — Guilderland, NY — Governor Kathy Hochul today stood with students, parents, teachers, social justice advocates and law enforcement officials to launch her push to restrict smartphone use in K-12 schools statewide.

The launch of this new effort follows the introduction of this legislative proposal as part of Governor Hochul’s FY 2026 Executive Budget Proposal. Additionally, Governor Hochul today released a new report with recommendations gathered from her statewide listening tour this past year with students, parents and teachers regarding excessive smartphone use in schools.