Rep. Scott Hilton Named PAGE’s 2026 Torchbearer for Education for Legislative Efforts to Advance Distraction-Free Education in Georgia Schools

ATLANTA - State Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), chairman of the House Information and Audits Committee, was recently recognized as a 2026 Torchbearer for Education by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) for his legislative efforts to prohibit bell-to-bell access of personal electronic devices in local school systems and public schools across Georgia.

"Creating distraction-free learning environments for Georgia students has been a priority of mine, and I'm incredibly proud that we were able to put meaningful guardrails in place to prohibit cell phone use in our schools," said Rep. Hilton. "The positive response we've heard from educators shows how important it is to give teachers the ability to teach without distraction, while giving students the opportunity to be fully engaged in the classroom. I am honored to receive this recognition from PAGE, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside Georgia's educators, students, families and communities to build on the progress we've made and ensure our schools continue to provide students with opportunities to thrive."

"Hilton's leadership to curb digital distraction and misuse of mobile devices was met with widespread educator support," said Robert Aycock, Legislative Communications Specialist at PAGE. "Though the 2026-2027 school year has just begun, the success of his efforts to light the way to improved student learning outcomes and mental health is evident. PAGE was proud to work with Rep. Hilton on the passage of HB 340 and HB 1009, and we are pleased to recognize the positive impact of these bills by naming him a 2026 PAGE Torchbearer."

During the 2025 legislative session, Rep. Hilton sponsored House Bill 340, the Distraction-Free Schools Act, which establishes a statewide framework for K-8 public school systems to prohibit bell-to-bell access to personal electronic devices. HB 340 requires schools to establish procedures for device storage, address device use during off-site activities, facilitate emergency communication through systems managed by school personnel and establish consequences for violations. During the 2026 legislative session, Rep. Hilton sponsored House Bill 1009, which extends these requirements to students in grades 9 - 12. Together, HB 340 and HB 1009 establish a statewide, bell-to-bell restriction on students' access to personal electronic devices in grades K-12.

More information about PAGE may be found here.

*Editor's note: Rep. Hilton has provided a photo from the event, which is included below.

Representative Scott Hilton represents the citizens of District 48, which includes portions of Fulton and Gwinnett counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and re-elected in 2022 and 2024 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Information and Audits Committee and as Secretary of the Education Committee. He also serves on the Public and Community Health, State Properties and Ways & Means committees.

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