New York · 2025 Regular Session · Bill
S 10685: Enacts the "Fostering Optimal Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
S 10685 is a bill introduced in the New York Senate on August 21, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Enacts the "Fostering Optimal Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods. Primary sponsor: Andrew Gounardes (Democratic). It lists 10 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (August 21, 2026): REFERRED TO RULES.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Enacts the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled and electronic devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods; prohibits use by younger students; limits and restricts certain uses by older students; requires written policies for opting in for the school issued devices; prohibits social media applications, gaming and AI in school issued devices; requires registration by educational technology providers.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5 · Democratic/Working Families 5 · Republican/Conservative 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Gounardes | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 26 |
| Jamaal Bailey | Co-sponsor | Democratic/Working Families | Senate | 36 |
| Erik Bottcher | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 47 |
| Jeremy Cooney | Co-sponsor | Democratic/Working Families | Senate | 56 |
| Michelle Hinchey | Co-sponsor | Democratic/Working Families | Senate | 41 |
| Robert Jackson | Co-sponsor | Democratic/Working Families | Senate | 31 |
| Liz Krueger | Co-sponsor | Democratic/Working Families | Senate | 28 |
| Jack Martins | Co-sponsor | Republican/Conservative | Senate | 7 |
| Jessica Scarcella-Spanton | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 23 |
| Luis Sepúlveda | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 32 |
| Sam Sutton | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 22 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- REFERRED TO RULES