Gwinnett's school board kept phones out of high school policy last December. A law Governor Kemp signed in May 2026 takes that choice away, and its wording points to a January 1, 2027 policy deadline that GCPS hasn't addressed on its own phone page.
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students in kindergarten through grade 8 can't use personal electronic devices from the first bell to the last bell this school year, and a new Georgia law will require the same for grades 9 to 12 no later than July 1, 2027. That second requirement comes from House Bill 1009, which the Georgia General Assembly passed in March 2026 and Governor Brian Kemp signed on May 5, 2026. The Georgia General Assembly's bill page lists its effective date as December 31, 2026.
As of October 29, 2026, the GCPS student electronic devices page still describes a K to 8 policy only.
What is the GCPS cell phone rule right now?
GCPS Policy JCDAF bars students in grades K to 8 from accessing personal electronic devices for the whole school day, "from the first bell to the final bell, including recess, transitions, and assemblies," according to the district's devices page. It took effect in K to 8 schools on July 1, 2026.
The district defines a personal electronic device broadly. Phones count, and so do smartwatches, tablets, e readers and headphones.
That same GCPS page also describes the rule a second, narrower way. In its question and answer section, it says K to 8 students "may not use or display" phones or other devices "during instructional time unless a teacher has approved their use for a learning activity." Bell to bell and instructional time aren't the same thing. GCPS has not reconciled the two on that page, and the stricter bell to bell description is the one that matches state law, the 2025 Distraction Free Education Act, HB 340, which covered K to 8 only.
Each school decides where phones go during the day. GCPS says schools will share their own storage instructions, whether that's in a student's belongings or a designated spot in the classroom.
What about Gwinnett high schools this year?
There is no districtwide bell to bell rule for GCPS high schools in 2026 to 2027. At its December 18, 2025 meeting, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved phone restrictions for grades K to 8 only, the district says. Its proposed extension of restrictions during instructional time for grades 9 to 12 "was not approved."
The board said high school phone use "will remain a topic of discussion." WSB TV reported the morning after the vote that board members wanted to review parent feedback first, and that state law at the time left high school up to each district. Check your teen's school handbook anyway, because individual high schools and teachers may still limit phones during class even without a districtwide rule.
What does HB 1009 require for grades 9 to 12?
HB 1009 says that "beginning no later than July 1, 2027, no public school student in grades nine through 12 shall be permitted to access personal electronic devices during the school day," according to the signed bill text posted by the governor's office. The law itself takes effect December 31, 2026, but the high school ban doesn't have to start until July 1, 2027.
The law defines bell to bell as everything from the first instructional bell to the final bell, including class time, breaks, transitions and assemblies. Access means "viewing, holding, wearing, or otherwise using" a device for communication, internet, games, recording, music or similar uses. So a smartwatch worn to get texts counts.
The bill also changes the annual policy requirement. Under HB 1009, every Georgia school district must adopt policies "by January 1 each year" that prohibit bell to bell access for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Those policies must set storage methods, rules for field trips, athletics, daily transportation and dual enrollment, and progressive consequences that can include verbal warnings, confiscation and parent notification. Because the law takes effect December 31, 2026, our reading is that the first January 1 deadline for a K to 12 policy is January 1, 2027. GCPS has not said publicly how it plans to meet it, and its devices page gave no timeline as of October 29, 2026.
Districts can't opt out. The bill says the rule can't be waived by strategic waiver or charter systems.
Can a student with an IEP or 504 plan keep a phone?
Yes, when the plan specifically calls for it. Georgia law and GCPS both carve out students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plan or medical plan requires a device.
The HB 1009 text says a student whose IEP, 504 plan or medical plan "explicitly mandates the use of a personal electronic device for medical or educational purposes" may use it as needed. GCPS says those students "will continue to use it as outlined in their plan."
The key word is explicitly. If your child relies on a phone or watch for a medical or learning need and the plan doesn't name the device, ask the school to hold an IEP or 504 meeting to add it.
District issued Chromebooks and tablets are not covered by the ban. The law says nothing in it stops schools from giving students school equipment for learning.
How do I reach my child during the school day?
Call the school. GCPS says parents who need to reach a student should contact the school office for urgent messages, and students may use a school phone in an emergency or with staff permission.
HB 1009 writes that into law. District policies must require parents who need to communicate with a student during the day to contact the school directly, and emergency communication goes through school systems and staff.
What happens if my child breaks the rule?
GCPS says schools follow a progressive discipline plan that may include a warning, parent contact or temporary confiscation, consistent with the Student Conduct Behavior Code.
If you want a say in the high school policy, the Gwinnett County Board of Education takes feedback at MySchoolBoard@gcpsk12.org, and individual board members' emails and phone numbers are linked from the GCPS devices page. Questions about how your child's school stores phones go to the school's front office, and districtwide questions go to communications@gcpsk12.org or the GCPS central office at 678 301 6000.