This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 18-2-46, to the Code of West Virginia, which mandates the development of policies by the state board and county boards of education to prohibit the use of personal cell phones and handheld communication devices by students during instructional time in public elementary and secondary schools. The state board is tasked with creating a model policy that balances students' academic achievement, cognitive development, safety, and well-being, while allowing for exceptions in extraordinary circumstances, such as emergencies or the need to contact parents.

Furthermore, each county board is required to adopt a policy that aligns with the state board's model policy, ensuring consistency across the state. The enforcement of these policies will be the responsibility of the individual county boards. This legislative measure aims to enhance the learning environment by minimizing distractions caused by cell phone usage during instructional periods.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-46