Utah Code § 53G-7-227 — Utah Code / Title 53G / Chapter 53G-7 / § 53G-7-227
§ 53G-7-227. Device prohibition.
Status: in_force

7/1/2026 (1) As used in this section: (a) (i) "AI glasses" means wearable eyewear, whether prescription or non-prescription, that: (A) incorporates one or more sensors, including cameras, microphones, accelerometers, gyroscopes, or biometric sensors; (B) uses artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, or neural networks to process, analyze, or interpret data captured by the sensors in real-time or near real-time; (C) provides information, overlays, translations, identification, or other augmented content to the wearer through visual displays, audio output, or haptic feedback; and (D) may transmit, store, or share data to external devices, networks, or cloud-based services. (ii) "AI glasses" does not include: (A) prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses without electronic components; (B) wearable devices used solely for reading glasses or vision correction without data collection or processing capabilities; (C) protective eyewear that contains only passive sensors without artificial intelligence processing capabilities; or (D) virtual reality headsets designed primarily for immersive gaming or entertainment that are not suitable for continuous wear in public settings. (b) (i) "Cellphone" means a handheld, portable electronic device that is designed to be operated using one or both hands and is capable of transmitting and receiving voice, data, or text communication by means of: (A) a cellular network; (B) a satellite network; or (C) any other wireless technology. (ii) "Cellphone" includes: (A) a smartphone; (B) a feature phone; (C) a mobile phone; (D) a satellite phone; or (E) a personal digital assistant that incorporates capabilities similar to a smartphone, feature phone, mobile phone, or satellite phone. (c) (i) "Emerging technology" means any other device that has or will be able to act in place of or as an extension of an individual's cellphone. (ii) "Emerging technology" does not include school provided or required devices. (d) "School hours" means the time from the beginning of the school day, as designated by the school's bell schedule, until the end of the school day, as designated by the school's bell schedule, including all instructional time, lunch periods, recess, and transition times between classes. (e) "Smart watch" means a wearable computing device that closely resembles a wristwatch or other time-keeping device with the capacity to act in place of or as an extension of an individual's cellphone. (f) "Smart watch" does not include a wearable device that can only: (i) tell time; (ii) monitor an individual's health informatics; (iii) receive and display notifications or information without the capability to respond; or (iv) track the individual's physical location. (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a student may not use a cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology at a school during school hours. (3) (a) Notwithstanding this section, an LEA: (i) shall establish a policy that allows a student to use a cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology: (A) to respond to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual; (B) to respond to a school-wide emergency; (C) to use the SafeUT Crisis Line described in Section 53H-4-210; (D) for a student's IEP or Section 504 accommodation plan; or (E) to address a medical necessity; and (ii) in addition to the exceptions described in Subsection (3)(a)(i): (A) may establish a policy that provides for other circumstances when a student may use a cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology during the school day; and (B) shall establish a policy that allows a parent to request an accommodation for the parent's student to briefly use a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology in a specified area the school designates during non-instructional time. (b) An LEA may establish policies that: (i) extend restrictions on student use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies to non-school hours, including school-supervised activities; and (ii) impose additional limitations on the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies beyond those required by this section. (4) The state board may create one or more model policies regarding when a student may use a student's cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology in a school during school hours consistent with this section.7/1/2026 (1) As used in this section: (a) (i) "AI glasses" means wearable eyewear, whether prescription or non-prescription, that: (A) incorporates one or more sensors, including cameras, microphones, accelerometers, gyroscopes, or biometric sensors; (B) uses artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, or neural networks to process, analyze, or interpret data captured by the sensors in real-time or near real-time; (C) provides information, overlays, translations, identification, or other augmented content to the wearer through visual displays, audio output, or haptic feedback; and (D) may transmit, store, or share data to external devices, networks, or cloud-based services. (ii) "AI glasses" does not include: (A) prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses without electronic components; (B) wearable devices used solely for reading glasses or vision correction without data collection or processing capabilities; (C) protective eyewear that contains only passive sensors without artificial intelligence processing capabilities; or (D) virtual reality headsets designed primarily for immersive gaming or entertainment that are not suitable for continuous wear in public settings. (b) (i) "Cellphone" means a handheld, portable electronic device that is designed to be operated using one or both hands and is capable of transmitting and receiving voice, data, or text communication by means of: (A) a cellular network; (B) a satellite network; or (C) any other wireless technology. (ii) "Cellphone" includes: (A) a smartphone; (B) a feature phone; (C) a mobile phone; (D) a satellite phone; or (E) a personal digital assistant that incorporates capabilities similar to a smartphone, feature phone, mobile phone, or satellite phone. (c) (i) "Emerging technology" means any other device that has or will be able to act in place of or as an extension of an individual's cellphone. (ii) "Emerging technology" does not include school provided or required devices. (d) "School hours" means the time from the beginning of the school day, as designated by the school's bell schedule, until the end of the school day, as designated by the school's bell schedule, including all instructional time, lunch periods, recess, and transition times between classes. (e) "Smart watch" means a wearable computing device that closely resembles a wristwatch or other time-keeping device with the capacity to act in place of or as an extension of an individual's cellphone. (f) "Smart watch" does not include a wearable device that can only: (i) tell time; (ii) monitor an individual's health informatics; (iii) receive and display notifications or information without the capability to respond; or (iv) track the individual's physical location. (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a student may not use a cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology at a school during school hours. (3) (a) Notwithstanding this section, an LEA: (i) shall establish a policy that allows a student to use a cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology: (A) to respond to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual; (B) to respond to a school-wide emergency; (C) to use the SafeUT Crisis Line described in Section 53H-4-210; (D) for a student's IEP or Section 504 accommodation plan; or (E) to address a medical necessity; and (ii) in addition to the exceptions described in Subsection (3)(a)(i): (A) may establish a policy that provides for other circumstances when a student may use a cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology during the school day; and (B) shall establish a policy that allows a parent to request an accommodation for the parent's student to briefly use a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology in a specified area the school designates during non-instructional time. (b) An LEA may establish policies that: (i) extend restrictions on student use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies to non-school hours, including school-supervised activities; and (ii) impose additional limitations on the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies beyond those required by this section. (4) The state board may create one or more model policies regarding when a student may use a student's cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology in a school during school hours consistent with this section.