Senate committee approves amendment to student device bill, adds nonpublic schools and narrows data mandate

At a Senate committee meeting, members approved an amendment to Senate Bill 2354 that incorporates several changes the House made to a bill on student personal electronic devices and district policies.

Chair Axman opened the meeting by explaining why members had copies of House Bill 1160 and Senate Bill 2354 and how the versions will interact if both become law. She said the bill that is signed last will supersede conflicting language, making today’s decisions important for the final statutory text.

The amendment the committee approved makes several substantive edits the House added. Representative Jonas said the House added nonpublic schools “because we feel it was important too that they be included. You have your private Catholic schools. You have your your classical education schools now.” The amendment therefore extends the bill’s coverage beyond public districts to include schools that do not receive public-operating control in the same way as public districts.

The committee also accepted language changes clarifying where device rules apply. Earlier versions used the phrase “instructor and instructional time”; the…