The House Education Administration Subcommittee unanimously advanced a bill 17-0 on Monday that would prohibit students from using cell phones during the school day.
Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera (R-Miami) detailed her bill (HB 949) to the subcommittee.
"This bill prohibits students from using wireless communication devices during the school day rather than just during instructional time. It also requires schools to designate locations within the school building where students can use their cell phones with the permission of a school administrator," Busatta Cabrera said.
"Cell phones not only cause constant distractions to a student's focus during the school day which impedes their ability to learn, but it also has shown to increase bullying throughout the school day," Busatta Cabrera added.
Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) asked Busatta Cabrera if students could still have their cell phones with them in their school bags even when they are off.
"This would give school districts the flexibility to implement as they see best fit for their school district. There are some schools and some school districts who have already implemented this policy," Busatta Cabrera said.
"For instance, there's a school in Miami that took it upon themselves to implement this policy. What they have utilized is a pouch that locks so the student can have the phone on them during the school day and the school is not confiscating the phone. At the end of the day, there's a mechanism where they would tap the pouch against the mechanism and it unlocks at the end of the day and they can access their phone," Busatta Cabrera continued.
In another question from Nixon, Busatta Cabrera said schools could adopt special circumstances for students who need to access their phones for medical needs, such as those with diabetes.
Rep. Susan Valdes (R-Tampa) said the no cell phone policy has worked in her district in two schools to reduce bullying and improve student achievement.
"I really like the fact also that you have given the opportunities for school districts to create a policy to find a cell phone designated area. I'm sure in case of an emergency situation that common sense will be used at that point so that administrators and teachers will allow their students to use their cell phones to call their parents," Valdes said.
The bill now heads to the Education and Employment Committee for consideration.
If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, HB 949 would take effect on July 1.
