No cell phones in school passes House committee

OKLAHOMA CITY — A bill to prohibit students from using cell phones during the school day passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives Common Education Committee Wednesday.

But, the bill still must pass the House Education Oversight Committee before it can be heard on the House floor.

Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, authored House Bill 1276 to eliminate what he said are distractions in the classroom and improve students’ mental health. The bill would require Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Personal electronic devices, including smartwatches and tablets, also are included under the measure.

“Data clearly shows the alarming effects of social media and smartphone usage by young people, as well as academic declines when phones are allowed in schools,” Caldwell said. “This bill would allow schools the ability to craft their own policies to prohibit the use of cell phones and smartwatches during the school day starting next school year. Schools maintain control, but students reap the benefits.”

Any policy prohibiting cell phone use must include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues, under the bill. School boards could choose to allow student cell phone use, but the policy must be approved annually, under the bill.

House Common Education Committee Chair Dick Lowe, R-Amber, said he prioritized HB1276 as the committee’s first bill of the year in response to widespread calls from across the state for a solution.

“Cell phones are powerful tools, but they usually do more harm than good in the classroom,” said Lowe, a former agriculture teacher. “House Bill 1276 gives schools the flexibility to implement policies that work best for their communities and helps students be fully engaged without the constant pull of technology.”