Committee backs bill limiting student use of wireless devices during instructional time; medical exemptions included

The Arizona House Committee on Science and Technology returned Senate Bill 12-26 with a due-pass recommendation after brief testimony focused on medical and disability-related exemptions.

Committee staff described the measure as a policy requiring schools to limit student use of wireless communication devices, including gaming devices and video players, during instructional time. The bill allows students to deposit devices in a secure location and lists exemptions for students who need access to devices under an individualized education program (IEP), are English-language learners, have a medical condition, serve as volunteer emergency responders, or require devices for classroom instruction under teacher direction. The measure requires that school districts provide the policy to parents, teachers and students at each school year’s start.

Julie Hoffman, chair of advocacy for the American Diabetes Association and a member of the Arizona Diabetes Coalition Leadership Council, testified to highlight medical-device concerns. Hoffman asked for assurance that students who rely on continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or other medical devices would retain access to those devices. Committee staff confirmed that the bill’s language includes exemptions for medical conditions and specified that "each school district governing board shall" adopt or maintain such a policy.

Committee members asked whether the bill applied to charter schools; staff said the bill text references school district governing boards. No further testimony was offered. The committee voted to return the bill with a due-pass recommendation by a recorded vote of 4 ayes and 3 nays.

The bill proceeds to the House calendar. Committee discussion left open implementation details such as how districts should operationalize secure-device storage and how policies would be communicated to parents and staff.