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House Education Committee advances statewide ban on student mobile devices after heated debate
Summary
The House Education Committee adopted a gut-and-replace amendment to require most schools to ban mobile devices during the school day beginning 2027–28, with exceptions for medical needs, IEP/504 accommodations and limited instructional uses; the proposal drew extended debate over local control, liability and special-education confidentiality.
The House Education Committee on Monday approved a sweeping amendment that would require public and many private schools to prohibit students’ mobile devices during the entire school day starting in the 2027–28 school year, while carving out narrow exceptions for medical needs, individualized education programs (IEPs) and translation services.
Representative Steele, the sponsor of the measure, told the committee the change is needed because "the mental, physical, and academic health of children has plummeted in conjunction with unfettered access to smartphones," and said a yes vote would be a step ‘‘toward ensuring that schools are places where children are free from exploitation by tech billionaires.’’…
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