This bill grants the state board of education the authority to establish rules regarding the use of cell phones and personal communication devices in schools. It amends RSA 189:1-a, V to require school boards and charter school boards of trustees to develop and adopt policies that prohibit the use of these devices by students during instructional time, with certain exceptions for medical, disability, or language proficiency needs as determined by the superintendent or their designee. The policy must be created in collaboration with parents and teachers and reviewed annually. Additionally, the bill specifies that students with medical needs or disabilities, as outlined in their individualized education programs (IEPs) or other relevant plans, are not prohibited from using necessary devices.

The bill also introduces a new paragraph to RSA 186:8, which explicitly states that the use of student cell phones and personal communication devices in schools will be governed by the rules established under RSA 189:1-a, V. The new legal language inserted into the current law includes the state board of education's rulemaking authority and the specific mention of personal electronic communication devices. There are no deletions from the current law noted in the summary. The act is set to take effect upon its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:1-a, 186:8
HB1055 text: 189:1-a, 186:8