Senate Education Committee backs bill asking Idaho districts to adopt "distraction‑free" phone policies

The Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1032 to the Senate floor with a recommendation that it be passed, after hearing more than an hour of testimony from educators, students, parents and district leaders. The bill would require each school district to assess the impact of personal mobile devices on students and adopt a policy that “promotes distraction free learning” by the end of the calendar year.

The measure, sponsored in committee by Senator Burnt, would not prescribe a statewide rule but would mandate that districts develop their own policies and implementation timelines. “This proposed legislation requires that all school districts in Idaho assess the impact of mobile device usage on students and develop a policy that promotes distraction free learning,” Senator Burnt said during his presentation.

Committee members heard extended testimony from district officials and students who described changes after local bans. Derek Bub, superintendent of West Ada School District, said West Ada’s phased, districtwide policy produced higher classroom engagement and fewer behavior incidents. “At the middle school, we’ve seen a 45% reduction in behaviors,” Bub said. Laura Stone, chair of the Blaine County School District No. 61 board of trustees, told senators the district received about 800 community comments before implementing its policy and that only “4 or 5 parents” had raised concerns before adoption.

Students who testified described social and academic benefits. Jack Goughner, student body president at Eagle High School, said restricting phones helped him concentrate and reduced in‑class distractions. Jack Stone, ASB co‑president at Rocky Mountain High School, said the policy improved opportunities for students to interact and form friendships. “We’ve been able to connect with people. We’ve been able to bond with people,” Stone said.

Committee members raised specific implementation questions. Senator Burton Shaw asked how students would contact family or emergency services during a lockdown or active‑shooter event; the sponsor read a statement from a Meridian Police Department school resource officer, who said first responders prefer students to be listening to staff instructions rather than using phones during an emergency. Senator Nichols asked about exemptions; Senator Burnt cited language in the bill (identified in the hearing as “section 336802, subsection 3”) that allows districts to provide exemptions for health‑related needs, devices provided for learning, and individualized education program (IEP) accommodations.

Witnesses representing several districts described different approaches to enforcement: some schools use classroom vaults for devices, others require phones to remain in lockers or turned off and away during the school day. Joey Palmer, assistant superintendent for Valley View School District, said the district first piloted device limits and, after consistent enforcement, saw fewer office referrals and improved academic results. “We continue to see the same positive results, fewer office referrals, higher academic performance, and an overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff and students about the improved school cultures across the district,” Palmer said.

Supporters repeatedly invoked research and commentary about youth mental health as part of the bill’s rationale; Senator Burnt referenced Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation and said concerns about social media and phone use contributed to the proposal. The bill’s sponsor emphasized that the measure preserves local control and allows districts to tailor policies to community needs; he told senators the bill does not prevent any district from choosing stricter, bell‑to‑bell prohibitions if they wish.

Committee members and witnesses also described rollout experience: several testified that gradual implementation helped acceptance, while others said rapid adoption produced clear and fast gains in engagement and behavior. Superintendent Bub recommended listening to students and parents and said community feedback in West Ada has been “at least 25 to 1 positive” in favor of the policy.

The committee approved a motion to send Senate Bill 1032 to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as carried in committee minutes. The bill text referenced during the hearing included the implementation deadline and the exemption provision cited above; further floor debate and any amendments would follow at the next stage.

Senator Burnt closed the hearing by thanking the students and school leaders who testified and saying he believes the policy can reduce anxiety and improve student engagement statewide.

Local school districts and parents who want details on specific enforcement models — vaults, locker rules, or staff enforcement procedures — were directed to the districts that testified, including West Ada, Valley View and Blaine County.