Michigan House advances and passes bill to restrict cellphones in K–12 classrooms

The Michigan House adopted a floor substitute and passed House Bill 4141 on third reading, a measure the sponsor described as a bid to limit student smartphone use in K–12 classrooms.

Representative Tisdale, speaking on the House floor, said the bill began as a draft in June 2023 and has evolved with input from education committee chairs and the governor’s office. “Getting smartphones out of K through 12 classrooms is a big deal. Please vote yes on this important bill,” Tisdale said, urging colleagues to support the measure and citing the experience of 38 states that have adopted statewide standards.

A floor substitute (identified in the record as amendment H‑8, Amendment No. 2) was offered by Tisdale and adopted on third reading. After debate and adoption of the amendment, the clerk announced the roll‑call tally (transcript reads: “There are 99 aye votes and 10 [audible error]”); the chair declared the bill passed. The majority moved for immediate effect, and the House ordered immediate effect.

Why it matters: Sponsor remarks framed the bill as aligning Michigan with other states and as a classroom management and student‑safety measure. Rep. Tisdale credited colleagues in education leadership and the governor’s office for negotiating language and backing the effort.

Next steps: With immediate effect ordered by the House, the bill will be transmitted to the governor for signature, subject to any subsequent actions not recorded in this session.