Nevada senators hear bill requiring school districts to set clear cell‑phone and electronic device policies

Senator Angie Taylor, sponsor of Senate Bill 444 and chair of the Senate Committee on Education, opened the committee hearing by saying the bill “requires school district policies on the use and possession of certain electronic devices in schools, namely cell phones, to include certain information.”

The bill would require each school district policy that governs student possession and use of electronic communication devices—defined in the presentation as devices capable of transmitting audio, written or pictorial information—to include a progressive discipline scale tied to number and severity of violations, limits on use during instruction, and exemptions for emergencies and individualized education programs.

“We know how clever kids are, sometimes for the wrong reasons,” said Senator Taylor. “Maintaining local controls over these policies simply expands on what district policy already is.” The sponsor emphasized that district boards should retain discretion over storage approaches (for example, pouches or backpacks) and exemptions for classroom instructional use or accommodations under an IEP or Section 504 plan.

An intern who spoke for the bill, Fiona Perreault, cited classroom disruptions and mental‑health concerns: “Limiting cell phone use in schools reduces that distraction and improves student focus,” she said, adding that some Nevada districts already use pouches or prohibitions during instruction.

Multiple education organizations and teachers testified in support. Alexander Marks, representing the Nevada State Education Association, said the bill is a “common sense measure” that balances appropriate instructional use and progressive discipline. Brian Wallace, a Carson City computer science teacher and NSEA vice president, described Yondr pouches used in Carson City and said teachers reported lower temptation and increased student conversational engagement at lunch. Robert Munson, vice president of the Washoe Education Association and a 27‑year teacher, said consistent district policies reduced confrontations and made classroom management easier.

Nevada Association of School Boards and a Clark County Schools representative also testified in support, emphasizing the bill preserves local control while requiring districts to address device use and discipline. Eduardo Martinez of TechNet said school districts should be able to limit electronic device use to preserve focused learning time.

Public testimony included comments from John Eppolito of ProtectNevadaChildren.org, who argued for reduced screens and warned of inappropriate content found on district devices; his remarks included anecdotal references to district‑issued devices and student misuse.

The committee accepted no formal amendments during the hearing and closed the hearing on Senate Bill 444 with the sponsor urging support because device distractions “hinder not only a student’s ability to learn, but … the teacher’s ability to teach.”

The hearing did not record a committee vote; the bill proceeded through a public hearing with proponents providing testimony and no recorded opposition during the session.

The committee discussion repeatedly noted that the bill preserves local discretion over the details of implementation—how devices are stored, what exemptions apply, and whether district‑issued devices are treated differently. The sponsor and several supporters stressed that devices issued by the school or district for learning would be excluded from prohibitions in the bill.

Looking ahead, if the committee advances the bill, districts would draft or revise policy language to reflect the statutory requirements and to set local discipline practices, storage methods and exemptions.