The House of Delegates passed a bill that would, under most circumstances, keep cell phones out of classrooms.
Delegates passed the bill Friday on a 92-3 vote. There was no particular debate.
The bill, which was introduced on behalf of the governor, now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
“Teachers have told me time and time again that in order to be their best they need to maintain control of their classrooms and eliminate distractions. We need to work on this,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in his State of the State address.
“That’s why tonight I’m calling on the Legislature to allow schools to ban cell phones in the classroom. Other states when they’ve done this, they’ve seen great success.”
At least 8 states, including California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia have enacted laws or policies that ban or restrict students’ use of cellphones in schools.
HB 2003 would limit the use of personal electronic devices like cell phones in school classrooms during instructional time because of concerns about distractions and student well-being.
The bill mandates county boards of education to develop policies for the 2025-2026 school year for devices like cellphones and tablets, requiring counties to document offenses in the West Virginia Education Information System. The bill allows for confiscation of devices for repeat offenders.
The legislation does include some potential exceptions for students with an individualized education program, as well as for diabetic students whose cell phones are connected to medical aids like continuous glucose monitors.
“At the minimum, this bill bans cell phone usage during instructional time,” said House Education Chairman Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, as he explained it to delegates.
“The bill does allow provisions and exceptions. First one is if a medical doctor or licensed healthcare professional submits a note showing the medical reasoning for personal electronic device, and second, if it is noted in the student’s IEP or 504 plan.”
Ellington said county boards must comply with the bill’s minimum requirements but they may expand it if other matters need to be addressed locally.
He said the bill has a structure of first, second and third offenses.
“Devices may be confiscated, even banned from the student if they continue to misuse their personal electronic devices,” Ellington said.
