Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government
Model Legislature
BILL #: 1107
Download PDFBE IT ENACTED BY THE YOUTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA YOUTH LEGISLATURE –
An act to
Require All Public And Charter Schools To Allow Students In Grades Six And Up To Have Access To Their Phones In Case Of
Emergency, And During The First Ten Minutes Of Lunch And Break Times.
SECTION I - PURPOSE
The purpose of this bill is to help students find each other during lunch and break times and to allow students to
contact their families in case of emergency.
SECTION II - JUSTIFICATION
20.9% of 13-17 year olds report feeling lonely. Some schools restrict students' phone access at all times. When you
don't have access to your phone during lunch, it can be very tough to find friends and build deep, meaningful
relationships. Allowing students to have access to their phones during the first 10 minutes lunch and break times will
allow them to find each other and spend time together frequently, building strong connections.
SECTION III - DEFINITIONS
1. “Phone” shall be defined as any cellular device that can be used to communicate with others.
2. “Break” shall be defined as any time when students are not receiving information or are expected to be working on
academic work.
SECTION IV - FUNDING
This bill does not require funding.
SECTION V – PENALTIES/ENFORCEMENT
Schools that do not cooperate with this bill will receive a five percent reduction in state funding.
SECTION VI – EFFECTIVE DATE
This bill will take effect at midnight on 9/7/2026.