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Committee approves "bell to bell, no cell" K-8 bill after extended testimony from educators and superintendent
Summary
The House Education Committee passed HB 340 (LC492272S) directing K-8 schools to restrict student cell-phone use during the school day, with exceptions for IEPs, virtual charter students and school-owned devices; committee heard testimony from state stakeholders and a Marietta superintendent who provided cost and outcome data.
The House Education Committee voted to advance HB 340 (filed as LC492272S) after a broad discussion that included the bill's sponsor, educators, a superintendent and students. Representative Hilton, the bill's sponsor, described the legislation as "bell to bell, no cell" for kindergarten through eighth grade and said it aims to reduce classroom distractions and improve academic performance and safety.
Representative Hilton said the measure is intended for K-8 and aims to establish school-day norms: "If you go beginning of the school day to end of the school day...this is for K through 8." He told the committee he had consulted public safety experts and the Sheriff's Association and argued restricting phones could reduce confusion during emergencies.
The bill text includes exceptions for students with individualized education programs (IEPs) and for virtual charter students, and it clarifies that school-owned devices used for instruction are permitted. During questioning, the sponsor said the legislation…
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