COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Legislature passed a bill that would limit cellphone use by students in school. It's something Gov. Mike DeWine advocated for last month in his State of the State Address.
The Senate passed the bill last month and it passed the House on Wednesday. It now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.
The policy was added to an unrelated House bill in a Senate committee and the Senate later passed it.
The amendment would require public schools to create a policy limiting phone use as much as possible during school hours. It also requires the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to create a model policy for schools to adopt if they don't want to make their own.
However, there are exceptions. Cellphones will be allowed if the device is being used as a learning tool or to monitor a student's health.
"The legislation does not require schools to adopt a ban on all student cellphone issues, but that is an option if the school district chooses to do so," Senator Andrew Brenner said. "It requires district cellphone policy to emphasize minimal use and least amount of distraction caused by cellphones during school hours. Districts that have a policy meeting these restrictions need not adopt a new policy."
Some local parents voiced concerns minimizing phone use will become a barrier to them reaching their child in an emergency.
Amy Stafford has a daughter in the Upper Arlington City School District.
“I know she’s had bad days before and needed me to pick her up or been worried about something and I like that I can support her when she needs me, but I understand that education comes first,” says Stafford.
A parent in Gahanna says their school district already has a cellphone policy in place.
“It’s pretty strict, it’s kind of like don't have your phone out but they kind of understand like you do need to be able to contact your kids,” said Taylor. “I do feel like it can be a barrier to learning so having some guidelines is definitely beneficial."
If approved, the law would take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
At a roundtable in Dublin in March, educators from around the state said banning phones in their schools led to greater student engagement, fewer skipped classes and less bullying.
Several principals and superintendents also said their school cafeterias and hallways are noisy again because students talk face-to-face rather than on their phones.