North Dakota House approves statewide ban on student personal electronic devices during school day

Bismarck — The House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 23-54 on final passage Tuesday, voting 61-29 to require schools that provide prekindergarten through secondary education to prohibit student use and require physical separation of personal electronic devices from the start to the end of the school day.

The bill, carried in the House by Representative Lindsay Novak, was reported out of the education committee with an amended, 13-1 do-pass recommendation and directs school districts to adopt local policies that meet statewide minimums. Representative Heiner, chair of the education committee, told the chamber the committee’s changes aim to give districts room to tailor implementation and to track effects: “Your education committee gave amended Senate Bill 23-54 a 13-1 do pass recommendation,” he said on the floor.

Supporters said the bill addresses distraction and student mental-health concerns tied to extensive smartphone use. “Teachers don’t want to be the phone police. They want to teach,” Representative Jonas said, urging colleagues to vote in support. Novak summarized the policy aim on the…