Committee advances bill to restrict student smartphone use during instructional day

The House Education Policy Committee on Thursday advanced House Bill 166, which would prohibit students from using, operating or possessing personal wireless communication devices during the instructional day unless an exemption applies and would require local boards of education to adopt district Internet-safety and wireless-device policies.

Representative Chris Hulsey, the bill sponsor, told the committee HB166 is intended to “free our classrooms of unnecessary electronic communication devices by prohibiting a student from using, operating, or possessing a wireless communication device during the instructional day.” He said the measure also would require instruction for students on risks and safe use of social media prior to eighth grade and that it is intended to reduce distractions and support social development.

The bill includes three cited exemptions: use of district-owned devices for supervised…