Proposed legislation that would restrict the use of cellphones and other wireless communication devices in schools is one step closer to becoming state law.
House Bill 932 passed the Tennessee House of Representatives on Monday and is now headed to the Senate for consideration. As currently written, the bill would require local boards of education and public charter schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using wireless communication devices during instructional time. It also would allow teachers to withhold such devices if doing so is within their districts' policies.
The legislation defines wireless communication devices as “a portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging or other data communication between two or more parties,” some of which includes cellphones, tablet computers, laptops, smartwatches and gaming devices.
The bill outlines exceptions school boards can make regarding the use of devices in the classroom. These include teachers allowing students to use the devices for educational purposes, during emergencies, to manage a student’s health or if the device is included in their individualized education program or active 504 plan (which helps students with disabilities participate in school activities).
The bill gives local school boards a choice in how they want to implement the policy and methods of disciplinary action for students who violate the policy.
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In addition, the bill requires local boards of education to establish procedures for the notification of parents and guardians of students during emergencies.
After questioning from Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) on Monday, bill sponsor Rep. Rebecca Alexander (R-Jonesborough) clarified that the legislation does not guarantee that students would be allowed to use their cellphones during an emergency, and that it is up to the policy set by the individual school districts.
“The last thing we need is for students to be able to have their cellphones where they’re calling in on 911 and causing a backup and not being able to get through to the emergency personnel that they need to reach,” Alexander said. “So the school boards put into place a policy for emergency situations that they communicate those emergency situations directly to the parents themselves.”
The bill received broad support in the House and passed the chamber 80-10-1 on Monday with all no votes coming from Democrats.
“There’s all kinds of information and data worldwide on the negative impact that cellphones have on learning, and this is a good bill,” said Rep. Dan Howell (R-Cleveland).
The legislation is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) and has not yet been put on the schedule to be considered on the floor. If passed, the bill would go into effect for the 2025-26 academic year.
Metro Nashville Public Schools already limits the use of certain wireless devices during instructional periods unless permitted by a teacher or building administrator, according to the student-parent handbook.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
