Committee hears HB131 to push local boards to ban personal phone use during instruction; Pelham district reports smoother classrooms

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 entire Internet, does that not discourage them from doing the hard work of learning content?” Ladd asked the panel.

Pelham Memorial Middle School’s superintendent Chip McGee and eighth-grader Cameron Marvin described the district’s experience locking phones in Yondr pouches during the school day. Cameron said the pouches reduced classroom interruptions and the frequency of disruptive recording in restrooms, and described the day as “more peaceful” and “a huge weight lifted.” McGee said preliminary diagnostic data and discipline measures had moved in a positive direction, though statewide test results would be available later.

Teacher and union witnesses supported the bill. Gary Hoffman, president of the Nashua Teachers Union, presented a district teacher survey: large majorities of responding high-school teachers reported cell phones lowered student concentration, reduced peer engagement and hindered longer assignments. NEA and AFT representatives urged a state standard to aid enforcement and to ensure consistent rules across districts; they also asked that exceptions for medical or special-education needs be explicit.

School board and administrator groups said local implementation raises implementation costs and practical questions. NHSBA noted Yondr pouches and similar systems can be effective but are an additional expense; some districts may need state support or a grant program to defray startup costs. Representative Litchfield, who has a related proposal to appropriate competitive grants for pouch purchases, said access and equity issues should be considered.

The committee did not vote. Members asked sponsors to refine statutory language on exceptions, enforcement and district flexibility and to consider whether an appropriation for equipment should accompany a statewide requirement.