A new Utah law takes effect July 1, 2026 that prohibits K-12 students in public schools from having their phones from the first bell to the last.
If you have kids in school in Utah County — or you're moving here with kids — here's what you need to know.
What the Law Actually Says
Per Senate Bill 69, passed by the 2026 Utah Legislature and signed by Governor Spencer Cox, Utah's default school policy now prohibits students from using cellphones, smartwatches, and similar emerging technology devices from the opening bell of the school day to the closing bell.
This is a step beyond last year's law. Per the Utah News Dispatch's February 2026 coverage, the 2025 law (SB 178) banned phones during class time only. Students could still use phones at lunch, in hallways, and between classes. SB 69 closes that window.
Schools and districts retain flexibility. The law sets a default statewide policy — but individual schools or districts can opt for a different standard, either stricter or looser.
Exceptions exist. Per the Park Record's March 2026 coverage, students with 504 or IEP plans retain accommodations. Medical needs and emergency situations are also excepted. Students who need to contact home may do so through the school office.
Why Utah Went This Direction
Per KSL's June 2026 coverage, Gov. Cox has been direct: "I am convinced, more than ever, that a bell-to-bell cellphone ban is the single most important thing that we can do for our students in our schools today."
Per Pew Research cited by KSL, 74% of U.S. adults support banning cellphones during class for middle and high school students, up from 68% last fall. Per the National Education Association cited by Yondr, 90% of teachers support banning phones during instructional time.
What Early Research Shows
Per a National Bureau of Economic Research study from Stanford, Duke, and the University of Michigan, cited by KSL, bell-to-bell bans show some positive trends but not uniform improvement across all measures. Nearly 5,000 U.S. schools were using phone pouches in 2026. Key findings:
- Cellphone access during school dropped significantly
- Discipline incidents increased slightly in the first year then faded
- Student-reported well-being declined initially then became positive by year two
- Academic gains varied and take time to show up
The adjustment period is real. The trajectory is positive.
What It Means for Utah County Families
Schools in Lehi, Eagle Mountain, and Saratoga Springs will implement this policy when the 2026-2027 school year begins in August. The specific enforcement approach — pouches, lockers, classroom storage — will vary by school and district.
If you have a student starting at a new school in Utah County this fall, contact the school directly to understand how they're implementing the policy.
Utah County School Rankings
For families researching schools in Lehi, Eagle Mountain, and Saratoga Springs, here are the most useful resources for 2026 school rankings:
Public School Review — Utah County (2026) Rankings based on math and reading proficiency test scores. Utah County schools average 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Utah public schools. Utah County outperforms the state average in both math (44% vs. 40%) and reading (46% vs. 43%).
Niche — Utah County Schools (2026) Ratings based on test scores, student-teacher ratios, diversity, and parent and student reviews.
GreatSchools — Utah Schools Parent reviews, test score data, and equity metrics by school.
SchoolDigger — Utah County Rankings Detailed rankings with historical trend data for each school.
A few highlights from the 2026 data for my three cities:
- Harvest School (Eagle Mountain) — Ranked 9/10, top 20% of Utah County elementary schools
- Ridgeline School (Saratoga Springs) — Ranked 9/10, top 20%
- Fox Hollow School (Lehi) — Ranked 9/10, top 20%
- Vista Heights Middle School (Saratoga Springs) — Ranked 8/10, top 30%
- Lehi Jr High School — Ranked 8/10, top 30%
- Utah County high schools — 91% graduation rate vs. 88% Utah average
I am here if you have any questions about schools, communities, or life in Utah County.
Relocating to Utah County? Let's talk →
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Utah's phone ban take effect? July 1, 2026. It will be in place for the start of the 2026-2027 school year in August.
Does the ban apply during lunch and between classes? Yes. Under SB 69, the ban applies from the first bell to the last — including lunch, hallways, and transitions. This is the key difference from last year's law, which only covered classroom time.
Can schools modify the policy? Yes. The law sets a default statewide policy. Individual schools and districts can opt for a looser or stricter approach.
What if my child has a 504 or IEP plan? Exceptions remain in place for students with 504 or IEP plans, medical needs, and emergencies.
Which bill is this? Senate Bill 69 (SB 69), passed by the 2026 Utah Legislature and signed by Governor Spencer Cox. It builds on SB 178 from 2025, which restricted phones only during classroom hours.
How do Utah County schools rank overall? Per Public School Review's 2026 data, Utah County schools average 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Utah public schools. The county outperforms the Utah state average in both math and reading proficiency. The top-ranked public schools in Utah County are Utah County Academy of Science, Highland School, and Foothill School. High schools in Utah County graduate 91% of students, compared to the Utah state average of 88%.
Related reading:
- Eagle Mountain Real Estate Market Update: June 2026
- Saratoga Springs Real Estate Market Update: June 2026
- Is Lehi's Real Estate Market Slowing Down or Leveling Out?
- How Far Are Utah County Cities From Ski Resorts?
- Internet Providers in Eagle Mountain Utah
Sources: KSL / Deseret News — SB 69 bell-to-bell ban July 1, schools can opt for looser policy, 74% Pew support, NBER study, June 2026; Utah News Dispatch — Legislature approves bell-to-bell ban, February 2026; Park Record — SB 69: 504/IEP exceptions, school office contact, March 2026; Deseret News — Gov. Cox bell-to-bell announcement, January 2026; Yondr — Utah phone-free school law, 90% teacher support, September 2025; Utah Legislature — SB 69 bill text 2026; Public School Review — Utah County 2026: 196 public schools, 156,142 students, average 7/10, math 44% vs 40% state, reading 46% vs 43% state, top schools Utah County Academy of Science, Highland, Foothill, graduation rate 91% vs 88% state; Public School Review — Utah County elementary 2026: top schools Highland, Foothill, Cedar Ridge; Harvest Eagle Mountain 9/10; Ridgeline Saratoga Springs 9/10; Fox Hollow Lehi 9/10; Public School Review — Utah County middle schools 2026: top schools Lincoln Academy, Karl G. Maeser Prep, Mountain Ridge Jr High; Vista Heights Saratoga Springs 8/10; Lehi Jr High 8/10; Public School Review — Utah County high schools 2026: top schools Utah County Academy of Science, Lincoln Academy, Karl G. Maeser Prep; 91% graduation rate vs 88% Utah average; Niche — Best public elementary schools Utah County 2026: Ranches Academy Eagle Mountain #3, Renaissance Academy Lehi #9; GreatSchools — Utah 2026 school ratings; SchoolDigger — Utah County school rankings 2026.
Written by Kat Ashby, Principal Broker and Realtor® at RootQuest Realty LLC in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Kat holds a Utah Division of Real Estate Principal Broker license (Credential #10382396-PB00). She has been actively selling in Utah County since 2020, specializing in buyer and seller representation, new construction, and corporate relocation through Altair Global. She is fluent in English and Portuguese, earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University, and lives in the community she sells in.