House bill would ban student cell phones in schools

OKLAHOMA CITY — A bill that would prohibit students from using cell phones during the school day is the first bill passed by the Oklahoma House this session.

The bill, by Rep. Chad Caldwell, chair of the House Appropriations Education Subcommittee, would require Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus before the start of the next school year. Personal electronic devices, including smartwatches, also are included under the measure.

Caldwell, an Enid Republican, said he presented House Bill 1276 to eliminate distractions in the classroom and improve student academic outcomes.

“The research is clear — cell phone use among young students is not only bad for their mental health, but also hurts academic outcomes,” he said. “To pass legislation this meaningful this early in session with overwhelming bipartisan support is a testament to how important this issue is. Our kids and teachers deserve a phone-free environment at school and we are well on our way to making that a reality.”

The legislation requires that any policy prohibiting cell phone use also must include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. The bill also leaves it up to the local district how it chooses to implement the cell phone ban.

Under HB1276, school boards could choose to allow student cell phone use, but the policy must be approved annually.

The bill passed the House floor with a vote of 82-9 and will now move to the Senate, where senators are ready to consider a ban of their own.

Senate Bill 139, by Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, would allow all public school districts to craft their own anti-cell phone policies for students. Seifried’s bill has won approval from Senate committees, meaning it is ready for a full Senate vote.