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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 harmful to attention, classroom climate and mental health; opponents worried enforcement would fall to teachers and that a statewide mandate could be an unfunded, one‑size‑fits‑all burden.
Nut graf: Proponents (including teachers, unions and some board members) said a statewide law would give consistent authority and reduce bullying and in‑class distraction. Opponents emphasized local control, logistics (large high‑schools, staffing differences), privacy and the risk of increased disciplinary incidents. Members proposed amendments and asked for SDE model policies and further conversations about enforcement mechanics such as Yonder pouches and locker storage.
Representative Romano recounted local board experience and framed the bill as a mental‑health measure: "This is a huge mental health bill for me. I watched those students; I expelled those students; I watched them cry," he said, urging colleagues to consider the harms phones introduce in the learning environment. Others described parental anxieties about emergency communication and asked for requirements that schools notify parents promptly during lockdowns or incidents.
Both HB 5035 and HB 5149 were advanced to the floor (JFS) after roll calls; votes were recorded and the committee held them open for final adjustments. Members signaled continued attention to logistics, enforcement, and racial/equity data that could result from enforcement patterns.
What happens next: Both bills were sent forward for floor consideration and further fiscal/implementation review; amendments or committee reports may follow.
