Latest news with #DonnieChesteen
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Alabama lawmakers vote to ban cellphone use in K-12 public schools
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama will soon join the states that have banned or restricted the presence of cellphones in schools. The Alabama Senate on Wednesday voted 30-2 for the bill to prohibit students in K-12 public schools from using phones during the school day. The phones must be 'turned off and stored off their person in a locker, car or similar storage location' during the instructional day. The bill now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. Ivey used a portion of her State of the State address earlier this year to urge lawmakers to pass the cellphone ban. 'In the school systems where this has been implemented, it has worked,' Republican Sen. Donnie Chesteen said. Many schools already ban the use of the devices. The legislation will require all school systems to do so. The Alabama bill leaves it up to schools on how to store the devices. A growing number of states are moving to ban or restrict cellphones in schools. The push has been fueled by concerns that phones are a distraction in the classroom and that screen time and social media negatively impact mental health. Several states, including Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, have enacted measures banning or restricting students' use of cellphones in schools. Similar bills have been proposed in multiple statehouses across the country. Republican Sen. Chris Elliott tried unsuccessfully to add an amendment to create an exemption for students to communicate with their parents. 'You are going to hear from parents back home if this passes, and they are not able to communicate with their child about practice being cancelled, a car breaking down,' Elliott said.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama public school cellphone ban moves closer to Senate vote
Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, at a Senate Education Policy committee meeting on April 30, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama. The committee approved HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, Wednesday that bans cell phones in public schools during instructional time. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama Senate committee approved a House bill Wednesday to ban cellphones in schools. HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, requires public school boards to adopt a policy banning cellphone use during instructional time. The Senate Education Policy Committee unanimously approved the legislation at its last meeting of the 2025 Legislative Session. 'This is the companion bill for the Focus Act,' Chesteen said. 'I know you've put about two years into this, so we look forward to getting it on the Senate floor and passing it into law.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Alabama House of Representatives approved the measure on April 4. The legislation also provides three exceptions for students to use their cell phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes. The House Education Policy Committee approved the Senate version of the bill, SB 92, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, on April 16. Both bills await final approval from the second chamber. There are four legislative days left in the 2025 session. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama House committee approves Senate version of cell phone ban
Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, listens attentively to the Senate debate on March 18, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama. A House committee Wednesday approved a bill sponsored by Chesteen that would ban cell phones in public schools during instruction hours. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House Education Policy Committee Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would ban cellphones in public schools during class instruction time. SB 92, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, is identical to HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, which passed the House earlier this month. 'It is identical to the way that we passed it out of the House and amended it on the floor recently. So we're making sure that they're tracking identically, and we have been able to successfully do that,' Hulsey, who carried the bill for Chesteen, said Wednesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cell phones during class hours. Some schools use Yondr Pouches to store phones, but the legislation does not specify how a phone should be stored. 'They just have to turn the phone off, store it off your person in a locker, car, whatever your storage solution is, it's a similar solution. Whatever they choose,' Hulsey said. There are three exceptions for when a student can access their phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes. The bill was approved with no discussion. It moves to the full House for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Senate passes bill banning cell phones in public schools
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Gov. Ivey praised the Alabama Senate Wednesday night after it unanimously passed a bill that would ban the use of cell phones in state public schools. The bill (SB92) would establish the Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act, which bans 'the use, operation, and possession of wireless communication devices on certain public school properties.' Additionally, students would be required to complete a social media safety course prior to the eighth grade. Alabama congressman predicts U.S. Space Command will relocate to Alabama soon 'The Senate unanimously passed the FOCUS Act, which removes the distraction of cell phones during students' classes. There's a time and a place for our phones, but while a teacher is teaching is NOT it. Thank you, Sen. Donnie Chesteen. Let's get this bill to my desk!' Gov. Ivey wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The Alabama House companion bill, HB 166, passed last week. The bills now swap chambers and whichever bill first passes through the opposite chamber is sent to Gov. Ivey's desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Governor backs bill restricting smart phone use in schools
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL) – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is throwing her support behind a new bill to limit student cell phone use during instructional time in public schools, a move aimed at improving focus and academic performance. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-SD-29) and Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-HD-15), does not prohibit students from bringing phones to school but allows educators to restrict their use during lessons. Local school boards would have discretion over enforcement policies. 'Students cannot do their best when their learning environment is cluttered with distractions,' Ivey said. 'I share the view of most teachers and parents that cell phones should be banned in the classroom.' Rep. Joe Lovvorn, Alabama House District 79, says the push for classroom phone restrictions comes as Alabama has made significant progress in education rankings. Over the last five years, the state has climbed from 52nd to 32nd in fourth-grade math and from 49th to 34th in fourth-grade reading—some of the largest gains in the nation. 'We've been able to do this thanks to the hard work of our students and teachers and the Legislature prioritizing common sense education policy. HB166 does not prevent parents from sending their children to school with a phone but allows educators to limit its use during instruction. The bottom line is that eliminating distractions in the classroom better positions our future leaders to reach their full potential,' said Rep. Lovvorn (R-HD-79). While many parents and educators support the measure, concerns remain over how it may affect student safety and communication. Some families rely on tracking apps like Life360 to monitor their child's location. However, the bill allows phone use before and after class and does not restrict access during extracurricular activities. In addition to phone restrictions, the legislation includes provisions for internet safety policies on school devices and requires social media training for students before eighth grade. The bill now moves to the Alabama Legislature for debate and potential amendments. If passed, it would apply to all public schools across the state, with local districts responsible for implementation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
