Subcommittee drafts statewide requirement for school districts to restrict student cell-phone use, with narrow exceptions

A subcommittee of the Education Policy and Administration Committee voted Monday in a work session to recommend new language for two bills, HB131 and HB781, that would require school governing bodies to adopt policies restricting student cell‑phone use and other personal electronic communication devices in schools and to include narrow, approved exceptions.

The subcommittee — Chairman Terry, Representative Litchfield and Representative Hall — approved a remove‑and‑replace of the paragraph in both bills describing local policy duties, voted to set an effective date of Sept. 1, 2025, and agreed to send both bills to the full committee for further consideration. The committee did not resolve appropriations; HB781 as introduced contains a $250,000 appropriation while the governor’s proposed budget includes $1,000,000, a difference members said they would leave for the full committee to decide.

Why it matters: The language approved by the subcommittee would create a statewide floor for how schools handle personal devices. Supporters said the move aims to give local districts minimum guidance amid increasing concern from educators about classroom disruptions; opponents and some members cautioned against imposing a one‑size‑fits‑all implementation timetable and against rushing state funding decisions.

What the subcommittee approved - Required local action: The recommended paragraph directs school boards or the board of trustees of charter public schools to “develop and adopt a policy governing the use of student cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices in schools.” - Minimum standard: The policy “shall, at a minimum, restrict the use of student personal cell phones during class…