This bill mandates that school districts develop and implement policies regarding the use of student cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices within schools. Specifically, it requires school boards and chartered public school trustees to create a policy that restricts the use of personal cell phones during class instruction, with certain approved exceptions for students with medical needs, disabilities, or language proficiency requirements. The new legal language inserted into RSA 189:1-a establishes this requirement and emphasizes that students with medical devices or those supported by individualized education programs (IEPs) or language access programs are exempt from these restrictions.

The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is expected to have an indeterminable fiscal impact on local expenditures, as the costs associated with implementing these policies will vary by district. The legislation does not anticipate any changes to local revenue. The Department of Education has been contacted regarding the implications of this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:1-a
As Amended by the House: 189:1-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 189:1-a
HB781 text: 189:1-a