Idaho Legislature: Ask Legislators to VOTE YES on H0229 - Schools, wireless devices (posted 02/15/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators: emailidaho.com

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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Many school districts nationwide ban student cell phone use, with good results: fewer problems and better grades. H0229 is a clean, simple bill that provides a statewide framework for managing student use of electronic devices in educational settings. It requires local K-12 school districts to develop and adopt a policy regarding student possession of such devices by August 1, 2025.

Key provisions:

• Policy must be approved by school district's board of trustees and included in district's written student conduct standards.

• Policy must (at least) prohibit using these devices in classrooms during academic instruction periods.

• If policy includes confiscating devices, it also must explain how devices will be returned to students.

• Wireless electronic communication devices definition: Any electronic device, including but not limited to telephone, personal digital assistant, paging device, text-messaging device, or other similar device that can wirelessly communicate with another person.

• Requires no additional funding, which makes H0229 superior to all similar bills being considered.

Note: Many Idaho schools already have “limit cell phone use” policies in place, so implementing a policy with the clear standards of H0229 should be easy.

References:

• Florida School District Banned Cell Phones and the Results Have Been Wild: thegatewaypundit.com/20…

• For a Growing Number of Kids, Back to School Means No Cellphones: childrenshealthdefense.…

• Do Not Disturb: Mobile Phone Ban Sweeps American Schools: