Committee approves measure directing OSPI to report on school mobile‑device policies

The House Education Committee voted to report Substitute Senate Bill 5,346 from committee with a due‑pass as amended after adopting amendment MOET 540.

Ethan, committee staff, described the bill as requiring the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to report to the legislature on public‑school policies and procedures that limit student mobile‑device use during instructional hours, and to post research and best‑practice strategies online. The adopted amendment MOET 540 narrows the reporting requirement to a single report due Dec. 15, 2027, cites research (including work commissioned by the Washington Association of School Administrators), and removes a separate OSPI duty to distribute web‑based information to districts; the act’s reporting and distribution duties now expire one year earlier (June 30, 2028).

Representative Donaghy said the bill “strikes a balance” between using available research and allowing districts flexibility to implement local policies; he urged members to support the measure. Representative Eslick and other members described positive classroom results from district policies that restrict student cell phone access and cited reduced interruptions and bullying in some schools.

After incorporation of the adopted amendment into a striking amendment, the committee took a roll‑call vote. The clerk announced 17 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 excused. The committee reported SSB 5,346 out of committee with a due‑pass as amended recommendation.