COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio senators passed a bill that would limit cellphone use by students in school. It's something Gov. Mike DeWine advocated for earlier this month in his State of the State Address. Now, it's one step away from heading to his desk.
The policy was just added to an unrelated House bill this week in a Senate committee. Then the Senate passed it Wednesday.
The amendment would require public schools to create a policy limiting phone use as much as possible during school hours. It also requires the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to create a model policy for schools to adopt if they don't want to make their own.
However, there are exceptions. Cellphones will be allowed if the device is being used as a learning tool or to monitor a student's health.
"The legislation does not require schools to adopt a ban on all student cellphone issues, but that is an option if the school district chooses to do so," Senator Andrew Brenner said. "It requires district cellphone policy to emphasize minimal use and least amount of distraction caused by cellphones during school hours. Districts that have a policy meeting these restrictions need not adopt a new policy."
Because of the amendment to House Bill 250, it must now pass the House again before heading to the governor's desk. If approved, the law would take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
At a roundtable in Dublin in March, educators from around the state said banning phones in their schools led to greater student engagement, fewer skipped classes and less bullying.
Several principals and superintendents also said their school cafeterias and hallways are noisy again because students talk face-to-face rather than on their phones.