Latest news with #HouseBill932
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN lawmakers approve school cell phone ban, awaits Gov. Lee
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers have given their final approval to ban the use of cell phones in schools across the state. The bill now awaits Governor Bill Lee's signature. State leaders are calling these devices a distraction. MSCS state takeover effort to move forward next week, says Memphis lawmaker 'I could barely teach for it, but I couldn't get their attention face to face,' said an educator. named Beverly Shockey. 'I couldn't get their attention because their head was on the phone, and they weren't doing the lesson.' In a 30-to-0 vote by the senate, legislators passed House Bill 932. The ban includes laptops, smart watches, and any other personal communication devices. Collierville PD investigating reports of drink tampering at two restaurants 'Most don't experience any emergency. They are just going through the phone and looking on Facebook,' said Shockey. 'That's something you can do on your break, your lunch break after you get home.' The Memphis Shelby County Schools district already has a policy that prohibits cell phones from schools during the school day. Their policy cites cheating, bullying, and taking inappropriate photos as part of the district's reasoning behind the ban. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee lawmakers give final approval to statewide school cell phone ban
State lawmakers have given final approval to a bill requiring all Tennessee school districts ban the use of cell phones, laptops, smart watches and other devices during instructional time. It now goes to Gov. Bill Lee's desk. State Senators approved House Bill 932 in a bipartisan vote of 30 to 0 with one member voting present on Thursday morning. It passed the House overwhelmingly on Monday. While many districts already have phone and device policies in place, Tennessee is one of several states considering similar statewide bans. "The bill aims to minimize classroom distractions and internet bullying on our school campuses," said sponsor Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin. The bill would require each school district to develop and implement policies restricting the use of any wireless communication devices during instructional time. Policy specifics would be up to the discretion of local school boards. Districts could adopt policies requiring students to stop device use at the beginning of the school day ― bell to bell ― or adopt restrictions on their use during classroom time only. Districts are required to allow students to access and use devices in emergency situations so they can contact their parents. The bill also requires districts to make exceptions for students with disabilities and special learning needs. If signed into law, the measure would take effect on July 1, and apply statewide beginning in the 2025-26 school year. During discussion on the Senate floor, members of both parties thanked Haile for the legislation. "When I was in high school, we had to leave our cell phones in the car," said Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis. "I think this goes a long way to make sure that kids are focusing in school. I cannot see what sort of benefit it would be for a child to text or be on the internet during class. Even when I was in law school my first semester, our teacher banned the use of laptops ― and we were grown ― because she felt like we would get distracted." Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school cell phone ban: Lawmakers give final approval
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee House requires school districts to prohibit cell phones during student instruction
A bill passed with bipartisan support in the Tennessee House requires schools to ban cell phones during instructional hours.(Photo illustration by) The Tennessee House overwhelmingly approved a measure Monday requiring schools to ban cell phone use when teachers are instructing students. House Bill 932, sponsored by Republican Rep. Rebecca Alexander of Jonesborough, passed with bipartisan support on an 80-10 vote. Although some school districts have had cell-phone policies for years to avert classroom distractions, Alexander said the state's school superintendents association asked her to sponsor the bill. She explained that school districts will have to adopt a policy but will have the discretion to determine whether the ban is in effect during class time or the entire school day. Some Democrats raised concerns that students wouldn't be able to contact their parents during emergencies such as shootings. But others, including Democratic Rep. G.A. Hardaway of Memphis, said scientific studies show that constant use of cell phones causes children's brains to develop differently, affecting their ability to grow up 'naturally.' Another Democrat, Rep. Caleb Hemmer of Nashville said he has received 'positive' feedback from teachers and counselors in his children's schools since they enacted a cell phone policy. The bill, which also applies to tablet and laptop computers and gaming devices, authorizes teachers to let students use wireless communication devices for educational purposes during instructional time and during emergencies or to manage their health. Students also would be permitted to use cell phones if they're included in an individualized education program, typically for special education students. District policies also must set a procedure for parents and guardians to be contacted during emergencies. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tennessee House passes bill banning classroom cell phone use, one Senate vote remains
A bill requiring Tennessee school districts to ban use of cell phones, laptops, smart watches and other devices during instructional time passed the state House of Representatives with bipartisan support on Monday. House Bill 932 passed the House in a vote of 80 to 10 on Monday afternoon, and now needs one final Senate vote – expected Thursday – before it heads to Gov. Bill Lee's desk. Tennessee is one of several states considering similar statewide policies this year. 'With everything that we have learned about the harm that cell phones are doing, the amount of time it takes for a student to refocus after they have had a message show up on their cell phone, all the information that we have have been given in the past year has led us to the assumption that every school district should want to do this type of policy if they want what's best for their students,' said Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R-Jonesborough. As written, the bill would require each school district to develop and implement policies restricting the use of any wireless communication devices — including cellphones, tablets, smart watches, laptop computers and gaming devices — during instructional time. Exceptions would be made for students who need to use devices for educational purposes, students with disabilities and medical needs, such as diabetic students who need to check their insulin level, and students with special learning needs. Policy specifics would be up to local school boards' discretion, and would be submitted to the State Board of Education. Districts could adopt policies requiring students to stop device use at the beginning of the school day – bell to bell – or adopt restrictions on their use during classroom time only. The bill requires districts to allow students to access and use devices in emergency situations. If signed into law, the measure would take effect on July 1, and apply statewide beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Rep. Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, said schools in his district held focus groups with parents, principals and teachers, and support a statewide requirement. "They can develop their own policy, but even though there's overwhelming support, there are some, as we know, who always criticize anything. We need to have their back," Howell said. "Our teachers work in a very difficult environment sometimes, and we need to have their back." Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, said during the House debate that she is unaware of a school district that does not already have a cell phone or device policy in place ― and most have had them for years. Alexander said the bill came at the request of a statewide group of school superintendents. Some Tennessee schools and districts already have similar policies in place. At KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School, for example, students are required to lock phones away in sealed pouches for the day. Teachers and staff there say kids are more engaged in class, and cyberbullying and similar conflicts have greatly decreased since the ban. More: As cellphone bans debated, Tennessee schools share the pros and cons of restrictions Leaders at Hamblen County Schools, which adopted a policy this school year restricting device use, said students have been more focused in the classroom, and less distracted. The bill could be a first step toward future limitation of technology use in the classroom. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, has indicated he would like to see more limitations on instructional devices like Google Chromebooks, arguing that students may 'rush through' tests to get computer time. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee House passes statewide school cell phone ban
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee school cell phone ban bill passes first committee hurdle
A bill allowing Tennessee school districts to adopt policies banning the use of cell phones and messaging devices during the school day – and permitting schools to require students to surrender their devices – passed a first committee hurdle on Tuesday. House Bill 932 would authorize all school districts in Tennessee to develop and implement policies restricting the use of any wireless communication devices – including cell phones, tablets, laptop computers and gaming devices – during instructional time. Districts would not be required to adopt such a policy. 'What we're doing here is we're setting a minimum level of expectation of what we believe is the best interest of the students,' said Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka. The bill leaves specifics of each device policy to individual districts' discretion. Districts could adopt policies requiring students to surrender devices at the beginning of the school day, or adopt restrictions on their use during classroom time only. Provisions are made in the bill for students with disabilities and medical needs – such as diabetic students who need to check their insulin level – to use devices as needed The bill passed unanimously out of the House Education Administration Subcommittee on Tuesday afternoon, with bipartisan support. Eight states – including Florida, California, Indiana and Louisiana – have already adopted statewide school cell phone bans. More than a dozen others are considering similar policies or pilot programs. About seven in 10 Americans support cell phone bans during class time, a nationwide Pew Research poll conducted last October found, while about a third of Americans support limitations on device use throughout the school day. Among those parents with reservations, many are concerned about being able to contact their child in cases of a disaster or emergency – like a school shooting. Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R-Jonesborough, who is sponsoring the bill in Tennessee, worked with the Tennessee Association of School Boards and the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents to draft the bill. Eighteen other House members have signed on to co-sponsor the bill. During committee on Tuesday, Alexander cited a policy active in Hamblin County that prohibits use of cell phones and personal electronic devices throughout the school day. 'They have seen marked improvement in their scores, in what the students are receiving by being able to not have a cell phone, for example, during lunch time – able to communicate with other students directly, face to face,' Alexander said. Cepicky said he has toured a few schools that have implemented similar policies. 'To see these children now starting to talk to each other and start to communicate to each other and express ideas to each other,' Cepicky said, 'It's reminiscent of the way our classrooms used to be, where kids were engaged in a day to day conversation with their peers and with their teachers.' Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school cell phone ban: Bill passes first committee hurdle
