Where does New Jersey's proposed classroom cell phone bill stand?
TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) — Lawmakers in New Jersey are keeping the 'phone' conversation going.
In Monday's Assembly Education Committee meeting, lawmakers held a discussion on the proposed legislation to ban cell phones in classrooms, an effort backed by Governor Phil Murphy.
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'We're trying to get back to learning,' said Asw. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-NJ 15th District).
After spending around an hour hearing testimony from experts in education and public safety, supporters of the bill noted that while the bill has been seen in the public as a phone ban, it leaves it up to school districts to adopt their own policies. Lawmakers say there are some instances where cell phones could be used for academic purposes, like Kahoot, a learning game platform.
'Use it when it's appropriate but at the same time we need it to a side for a little while as well,' said Reynolds-Jackson.
Republican Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among a few lawmakers who expressed some concerns, including one that many parents have voiced: the ability for their child to reach them in an emergency, like a lockdown situation.
'I don't think anyone is opposed to actually developing a policy that schools can use as guidance to follow,' said Fantasia (R-NJ 24th District). 'The larger concern we're dealing with is when it costs money, and also safety concerns… That's a real issue, that's a valid issue, and we really, really have to look into that before we force guidelines on schools.'
More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State
Democratic Assemblyman Cody Miller, who serves as a volunteer first responder, testified that parents flooding a school parking lot in an emergency after their kids contact them could hinder responses.
'Wherever the emergency services are that are on that school campus, they don't have the ability to respond to calls effectively,' said Miller (D-NJ 4th District).
The committee advanced the bill. There's no timetable yet on when it could reach the assembly floor for a vote.
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