Conference committee approves SB 2354, excludes nonpublic schools from cellphone mandate

The conference committee on Senate Bill 2354 approved a replacement amendment that removes nonpublic schools from the bill’s statewide cellphone policy and directs that the text will replace corresponding language in House Bill 1160.

The measure passed the committee by recorded voice/roll call without recorded opposition. Committee members debated two central points before the votes: whether the statewide requirement should cover private (nonpublic) schools, and whether electronic devices must be “locked away” or may be merely “securely stowed and inaccessible” during instructional time. Members also noted that an appropriation that would have paid for storage pouches or lockboxes was removed before the committee considered the replacement language.

Chair Axman, who opened the discussion, said the committee was able to include language referencing the…