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House Education Committee advances statewide ban on student mobile devices after heated debate
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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.’’ (Representative Steele)
The amendment (A03076) — offered by the committee chair as a gut-and-replace — requires districts to post device policies publicly, allows limited teacher-authorized instructional use when school-issued technology is unavailable, and provides principals authority to grant one-day exceptions (with notification to the chief school administrator). It also states schools are not required to confiscate phones and grants immunity to employees acting in good faith when securing a device under the policy.
Supporters said the measure gives school leaders uniform guidance to reduce distraction and improve learning. Representative Cooper said the amendment "is a great starting point" that preserves classroom flexibility for instruction while addressing phone-related disruptions.
Opponents warned the policy risks overreach, enforcement problems and unintended consequences for students with IEPs or 504 plans. Representative McKenzie said "one size does not fit all" and argued local school boards and administrators should decide device rules. Representative Kozak and others cautioned that the IEP/504 exceptions could create visible differences in classrooms and encourage parents to seek accommodations, undermining a bell-to-bell prohibition.
Members also raised concerns about property liability. Representative McKenzie urged the committee to reconsider language that would shield schools from liability if a device is lost or damaged while secured, saying phones are costly family property and families should retain recourse.
After extended discussion and a roll-call vote on the amendment, the committee approved the amendment and then passed the underlying House and Senate measures as amended in separate roll calls (final tallies reported as ayes 15, nays 11 on one vote and ayes 15, nays 11 on the companion bill).
The chair said the measure attempts to balance statewide consistency with flexibility for individual districts and invited further refinements as the bill advances to the floor.
The committee is scheduled to meet again for an informational hearing on May 5. The bills will now move to the next steps in the legislative process.
