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Senate approves 'bell‑to‑bell' student phone restrictions after debate over parent contact
Summary
Senate passed SB92, a measure restricting students' personal phone use during instructional periods (so‑called "bell‑to‑bell" rule) with exceptions for individualized education or health plans and emergency threats; an amendment to add an explicit parent‑contact exception was proposed and then tabled. Final vote: 27–0.
The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 92 on April 9, approving a prohibition on student possession or use of personal cell phones during instructional periods unless a limited exception applies. The bill passed on final vote, 27–0.
Under the adopted language, local school systems would implement procedures for secure storage and return of phones at the end of the school day. The law includes carve‑outs allowing use when required by an individualized education plan (IEP), an individualized accommodation plan, or an individual health plan, or when there is an immediate threat to life or safety that requires communication.
On the floor, sponsor Senator Chastain said the measure responds to classroom distraction and cited studies showing repeated phone interruptions can lengthen a student’s time to refocus. A fellow senator, identifying as a parent, proposed a narrowly drawn additional exception to permit a student to communicate directly with a parent or legal guardian during the school day; that amendment was moved, debated briefly and then tabled by the Senate.
Senators emphasizing the restriction said the intent is to preserve instructional time and reduce classroom management burdens on teachers. Opponents or questioners expressed concern about practical family communications during the day; supporters pointed to office messaging systems, coaches’ announcements and school offices as existing channels.
Senate Bill 92 passed with the sponsor's floor amendment in place and the parent‑contact amendment tabled, and will proceed through enrollment steps to final transmission to the governor.
