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Committee hears HB131 to push local boards to ban personal phone use during instruction; Pelham district reports smoother classrooms
Summary
HB131 would require school boards to adopt policies restricting personal cell phone use during instructional time (with specified exceptions). Testimony included student, superintendent and union support; Pelham Middle School cited quieter classrooms and reduced restroom recording after using Yondr pouches.
The House Education Policy Committee took up HB131, which would require local school boards to adopt policies restricting student personal cell phone use during instructional time and encouraging districts to consider a broader day-long approach with limited exceptions for medical needs, IEP/504 accommodations and teacher-approved lessons.
Representative Rick Ladd, sponsor, argued that widespread phone use disrupts instruction and mental health and said he modeled HB131 on policies adopted in other states and school districts. “When students can readily slip a phone out during class and access the…
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