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Senate Committee Sends Cell‑Phone Policy RS 32029 to Print; Requires Districts to Adopt Local Device Policies by Year‑End
Summary
The Senate Education Committee voted to print RS 32029, a proposed measure directing Idaho school districts to assess mobile device impacts and adopt local policies to promote distraction‑free learning by the end of the year. The RS preserves local control and exempts assistive technology for students with IEPs.
The Idaho Senate Education Committee on Monday voted to send RS 32029 — a proposed distraction‑free learning policy — to print, moving the measure one step further in the legislative process.
Sponsor Senator Craig Berndt, of Meridian, told the committee the draft requires all Idaho school districts to "assess the impact of mobile device usage on students and develop a policy that promotes distraction free learning." The RS, he said, "doesn't dictate what a policy looks like" but preserves local control so districts can tailor rules to their needs.
"A cell phone policy in West Ada School District looks a lot different than a cell phone policy may look like in Riggins," Berndt said, describing meetings with West Ada and with students during policy development. He added the bill sets a deadline: districts must adopt a policy by the end of the year.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the RS's scope and exemptions. Senator Semeroth asked whether the RS's definition of "electronic communications device" includes tablets; Senator Berndt replied, "yes, that would include a tablet." When asked about students with IEPs, Berndt confirmed the language allows continued use of electronic assistive technology.
After brief discussion, a senator moved to send RS 32029 to print; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. The committee did not take a final vote on the RS itself — printing is a procedural step that makes the language available for formal introduction and further action.
The committee record shows the RS will require districts to adopt local device policies by the end of the calendar year and explicitly notes an exemption for devices used as assistive technology in IEPs.
