Senate panel backs measure letting districts set student cell-phone rules, touts mental health and classroom benefits

A bipartisan Senate committee unanimously advanced legislation directing every public school district and charter institute school in Colorado to adopt and post a local policy governing students' communication devices during the school day.

Sponsors described the bill as preserving local control while encouraging districts to standardize rules, provide public input, and keep exceptions for students with medical needs or individualized education plans. "This bill really encourages the parents, school district, school districts, and students to work together on cell phone policy that best suits their community," said co-prime sponsor Senator Frizzell.

Why it matters: Multiple witnesses from education, health and parent-advocacy groups told senators they see phone and social-media use as a driver of classroom distraction, cyberbullying and worsening youth mental-health trends. "The exploding popularity of cell phones and social media among our youth in the last decade is correlated pretty significantly with the trends of rising rates of anxiety and depression," said Dr. Lauren Henry, a child psychologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, citing national reports including the Surgeon General's advisory and recent peer-reviewed studies.

School leaders who testified said districtwide policies can improve learning by equalizing expectations across classrooms. "By creating a district wide policy that requires all students to be off their phones during the school day, there is no fear of missing out," said Brian Hill, superintendent of District 51 in Mesa County, which implemented such a policy this school year and reported improved engagement and reduced discipline issues.

Committee action and amendments: The committee adopted amendment L002, which clarifies that policies cover school-issued and personal communication devices and asks districts to consider media literacy and social-emotional learning when crafting exceptions. After debate and amendment, senators voted to move House Bill 11 35 as amended to the Committee of the Whole; the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Details and limitations: The bill sets a July 1, 2026 deadline for districts to adopt policies but does not prescribe a single statewide rule; sponsors emphasized local control. Testimony from Colorado school boards and associations said many districts already have policies ranging from full-day bans to "out-of-sight" rules; the legislation primarily requires every local education provider to adopt and publish a policy and to include stakeholder consultation in the process.

Next steps: The bill will go to the Committee of the Whole. Supporters asked the Senate to keep the measure moving so districts can complete public outreach before the 2026 compliance date.