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North Carolina House approves bill letting local school boards limit student cell phone use
Summary
The House passed House Bill 87, directing local school boards to create policies that eliminate or severely restrict student cell phone use during instruction; members adopted an amendment protecting students who rely on phones for medical needs and clarified the law applies to charter schools but not private schools.
The North Carolina House on March 25 passed House Bill 87, a measure directing local school boards to adopt policies that eliminate or severely restrict student cell phone use during instruction time. The bill passed its third reading and was ordered engrossed for transmittal to the Senate.
Supporters said the measure aims to reduce classroom distraction and bullying and to improve safety during emergencies. "It's been incredible. It has cut down on bullying. It's cut down on distraction," Representative Neil Jackson said as he described visiting a high school art class where students stored phones when class began. "Class attention has gone up. Grades have gone up."
The bill’s sponsor and colleagues repeatedly said school boards, not the State, will decide the details. "School boards are smart people. They can figure this out," Jackson said, adding the bill covers cell phones only and that local districts may choose to include other devices.
A floor amendment adopted by the House clarified two specific points: it exempts students who require a phone for medical reasons and recognizes accommodations written into Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans; and it confirms the requirement applies to charter schools but not private schools. Representative Cawthon, who offered the amendment, said it was intended to ensure students who rely on phones for medical monitoring are not barred from using them. The amendment was adopted by recorded vote, 116-1.
Floor debate included questions about medical devices and emergency protocol. Representative Reuben asked whether the bill would inadvertently bar students who use their phones as glucose monitors; Jackson replied that the amendment and later changes would address those concerns. Supporters also cited testimony from law enforcement that, during emergency incidents, student attention should be on staff and officials rather than texting family.
The House approved the bill on second reading by voice and recorded votes (second-reading tally recorded 114 yeas, 3 nays). The bill returned for a third reading and passed. The measure does not impose specific device standards such as watches or tablets; sponsors said those choices are left to local boards.
Implementation will rely on local school systems to draft policies and on school administrators to enforce them. The House debate included no formal amendment expanding the law to private schools; an amendment to do so was discussed but not adopted. The bill’s next procedural step is transmittal to the Senate for consideration.
