The state Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill that would, under most circumstances, keep cell phones out of classrooms.
Senators passed the bill on a 33-1 vote. The House of Delegates passed the bill on March 21.
Senate Education Chairwoman Amy Nichole Grady, who is a fourth grade teacher, said she was skeptical of the policy at first.
“I originally, when I had this bill sitting in committee, I had mixed feelings about it because I felt like it was micromanaging. I thought it was a teacher’s job to manage the classroom, and if they can’t do that, then it’s the principal’s job to make sure they are,” said Grady, R-Mason.
“But as I was reading research and looking at what other states have seen when they’ve when they have put this in place, the improvements they’ve seen in their academic instruction and the improvements they’ve seen in general in their schools have been great. I’m excited and interested for West Virginia’s to see some improvements as well.”
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.
Grady, speaking on the Senate floor, said she sees several benefits. One is a break for students from the possibility of cyberbullying. Another is less screen time and the potential for improved mental health.
“You know this would increase students’ ability to focus and reduce distractions, but it also gives them a break from that harmful cyber bullying that’s happening for six to seven hours each day,” Grady said.
The bill was introduced on behalf of the governor.
“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.”
