{"id":2404529,"date":"2025-02-20T08:11:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T13:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/committee-passes-bill-requiring-cellphone-policies-in-schools-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-20T08:12:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T13:12:36","slug":"committee-passes-bill-requiring-cellphone-policies-in-schools-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/committee-passes-bill-requiring-cellphone-policies-in-schools-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Committee passes bill requiring cellphone policies in schools &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcommittee-passes-bill-requiring-cellphone-policies-in-schools-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2404529&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The colorado House Education Committee has passed a bipartisan \u2062bill,known\u2063 as House Bill 1135,that mandates \u2062public schools to establish a policy regarding cellphone\u200c use\u2062 by students. While the bill \u200crequires schools to create this policy by July 1, 2026, it does not dictate the specifics of the policy, allowing for local control and input from parents and communities. Most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ronna-mcdaniel-says-fourth-term-as-rnc-chair-will-be-her-last\/\" title=\"Ronna McDaniel Says Fourth Term as RNC Chair Will Be Her Last\">committee members supported<\/a> the \u2063bill, emphasizing its role in fostering a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/va-professor-suspended-after-pedophilia-remarks\/\" title=\"Va. professor suspended after pedophilia remarks\">conducive learning environment<\/a> by minimizing\u200b distractions caused by cellphones. However, state \u200cRep. Dusty Johnson expressed concerns about \u2064potential\u2062 loss of local autonomy in decision-making.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed legislation aims to address the issue\u2064 of classroom distractions and is backed by various teacher advocacy groups and health \u200dprofessionals. It stipulates that \u2064all interaction devices\u2014including those capable of making calls,sending messages,or accessing the internet\u2014are subject to the policy,with exceptions for medical devices and school-issued laptops. If \u200denacted, Colorado would \u2063join at least 18 other \u200dstates with similar legislation. The bill is set to move forward for \u200ca vote in the House\u2062 before heading to the\u200c Senate.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Committee passes bill requiring cellphone policies in schools<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1998767\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash; The Colorado House Education Committee passed a bipartisan bill Wednesday requiring all public schools to have a policy on cellphones.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/leg.colorado.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2025A\/bills\/2025a_1135_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>House Bill 1135<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;requires that schools decide on a specific policy on student use of a &ldquo;communication device,&rdquo; but it does not specify what that policy should be.<\/p>\n<p>The committee voted nearly unanimously, with only state Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, dissenting.<\/p>\n<p>Johnson cited concerns about schools losing local control over the decision.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I love the concept of this bill,&rdquo; Johnson said. &ldquo;For me, this comes down to local schools, local choice, letting parents and local communities push this decision, and not the state saying you need to have something.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Legislators supporting the bill said it strikes a good middle ground on the issue of phones in schools.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As a former teacher, I know that in order to truly equip our students for the future, we must ensure that they have the ability to fully engage in their schools and in the learning process,&rdquo; said state Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, one of the bill&rsquo;s sponsors. &ldquo;As someone who&rsquo;s entrusted with the responsibility to make decisions that enrich the lies of all Colorado ones, I refuse to sit on the sidelines as our youth struggle with unnecessary obstacles that impede their ability to flourish.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The bill will require that each public school, including charter schools, have a policy implemented by July 1, 2026 &ldquo;for the health, safety and welfare of students.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Devices included in the policy are any capable of making and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages, or accessing the internet. School-issued laptops would not be included, and the bill has a provision for devices used to assist students with a medical condition.<\/p>\n<p>Under the legislation, any policy enacted must also consider exceptions, emergency response and unintended burdens that might arise because of the restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>State Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, also sponsored the bill.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;One of the biggest culprits of classroom distractions is cellphones, which is why we are bringing this bipartisan legislation to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">limit student distraction caused<\/a> by cellphones and foster a healthier learning environment,&rdquo; she explained during the committee meeting. &ldquo;We want all of our students to succeed in the classroom, and this bill sets us on the right path forward.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>If the bill is passed, Colorado would join at least 18 other states that have already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oklahoma-house-passes-save-womens-sports-act\/\" title=\"Oklahoma ... Passes \u2018Save Women\u2019s Sports Act\u2019\">passed legislation requiring<\/a> that cellphones be restricted or banned during the school day.<\/p>\n<p>During public testimony, many teacher advocacy groups and health professionals spoke in favor of the bill, including the Colorado Association of School Executives, the Colorado Education Association and others.<\/p>\n<p>Many schools throughout the state have already implemented cellphone policies, including School District 51 in Mesa County. Brian Hill, the district&rsquo;s superintendent, testified on the importance of schools implementing cellphone policies.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen firsthand how limiting smartphone distractions in schools positively impact student learning and well being,&rdquo; Hill explained. &ldquo;This bill reflects a balanced approach, ensuring schools have tools to address the issues while maintaining local control to implement policies that work best for their communities. This bill is about making schools places for learning, connection and student wellbeing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Colorado State Board of Education also spoke in support of the bill, but requested the House consider an amendment providing for additional research, implementation and resources.<\/p>\n<p>The bill will now move for a vote on the floor of the House, before transitioning to the Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1998767\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1998767\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Committee approves bill mandating cellphone policies in schools<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2404530,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Fea.Phone2_.1113-1024x591.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50716,5152,4762,4133,3735],"class_list":["post-2404529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-cellphone-policies","tag-education","tag-legislation","tag-news","tag-schools"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Fea.Phone2_.1113-1024x591.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2404529"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2404533,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404529\/revisions\/2404533"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2404530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2404529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2404529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2404529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}