House committee introduces bill to fund "bell-to-bell" phone policies and asks State Board to report on outcomes

Representative Chris Mathias introduced RS32321, a replacement RS that would create a School Mobile Device Policy Fund to support local districts that adopt evidence-based "bell-to-bell" mobile-device restrictions. Mathias told the House Committee on Education the bill does not require districts to adopt such policies; it preserves local control and makes grant money available to districts that choose to implement them.

Under the proposal, grant awards would be $1,500 per district/school. Mathias described a conservative fiscal estimate of "under $285,000," derived by multiplying 115 school districts and 77 charter schools by $1,500; he said that estimate is likely overstated because many districts have already adopted similar policies or accepted earlier grants. The RS defines "mobile device" as a personal portable wireless device and carves out exceptions for devices necessary for educational purposes or…