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Committee backs stronger school cell-phone policies, with limits and exemptions
Summary
The House Education Committee voted to recommend HB 781 as amended, directing districts to adopt cell-phone restrictions at minimum during class instruction and to include exceptions for medical needs and language support.
The House Education Committee voted 16-1 to recommend House Bill 781, a bill directing school districts to adopt policies restricting the use of student personal cell phones during classroom instruction and allowing local boards discretion outside class time.
The bill, as amended by subcommittee language (amendment 0733h), requires that district policies "at a minimum" restrict use of student personal cell phones during class instruction and permits districts to include additional restrictions at other times of the school day. The amendment also adds chartered public school boards to the list of bodies required to adopt such policies and clarifies that other personal electronic communication devices may be covered.
Representative Litchfield, a prime mover of the committee motion, told members the subcommittee had tried to strike a balance between statewide guidance and local control. "The policy shall, at a minimum, restrict the use of student personal cell phones during class instruction," she said during discussion. The amendment also includes explicit exceptions that the superintendent or designee may approve for students with medical disabilities or language-proficiency needs; the amendment references section 504 to protect students who require devices to support learning.
Some committee members raised concerns about state direction versus local control. Representative Hall said she was "concerned that we are telling schools what the policy will be" and cautioned against being prescriptive about matters often handled locally. Other members argued the statute's minimum requirement was intentionally narrow and left local boards discretion on issues such as use during lunch or on athletic fields.
The committee adopted the amendment by roll call (16-1) and then recommended HB 781 Ought to Pass as Amended by the same margin.
Implementation notes captured during the hearing include a subcommittee-chosen effective date of July 1, 2025, so policies would be in place for the next school year. Committee staff will prepare the report for the House calendar.
