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After hours of debate, committee advances phone‑free school bills while flagging enforcement and equity concerns
Summary
Two bills proposing statewide bans on student cell phones during the school day were advanced to the floor after long, often emotional debate about enforcement, logistics, equity and mental health. Members repeatedly urged local‑level flexibility and stronger parental notification procedures.
The joint education committee advanced two related bills intended to ban student cell phones during the school day but spent much of a long hearing wrestling with enforcement, equity and the practical burden on teachers.
Lede: HB 5035 would require boards of education to make wireless devices inaccessible to students during the school day (exceptions for IEP/504/health plans); HB 5149 contains similar language with technical edits intended to ease local implementation. Proponents described phones as addictive and…
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