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Senate committee backs bill directing Idaho school districts to adopt ‘distraction‑free’ mobile device policies
Summary
The Senate Education Committee recommended advancing Senate Bill 1032, which would require Idaho school districts to assess mobile device use and adopt local policies promoting distraction‑free learning, allowing exemptions for health and individualized education needs.
Senate Education Committee members voted to recommend Senate Bill 1032 to the full Senate after a public hearing that included students, superintendents and school board members who described academic and behavioral improvements from local phone‑restriction policies.
The bill, as described by sponsor Senator Burnt, would require each Idaho school district to assess the impact of mobile devices on students and adopt a policy that “promotes distraction free learning.” The measure sets an implementation deadline of the end of the year but does not prescribe a single statewide rule; it leaves the specific content of district policies to local authorities.
Supporters from several districts told the committee they had seen measurable benefits after adopting…
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