The House approved House Bill 5035 by 117-31, with bipartisan support, prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day across Connecticut.
The bill allows exceptions for students with IEPs or 504 plans and leaves enforcement details to individual districts. Teachers’ cellphone use remains permitted for safety reasons.
Supporters cite concerns over distraction, addiction, and youth mental health, while opponents argue for local control. The bill now moves to the Senate and must pass by May 6 to become law.
What new enforcement burdens will a statewide phone ban place on teachers and school administrators?
If phones are banned, will student distraction just shift to school-issued laptops and other devices?
Can a school-day phone ban reverse the neurological effects of addiction developed outside of school hours?
How will a 'bell-to-bell' ban balance student safety with parents' need for emergency communication?
Will Connecticut's ban replicate other states' success in boosting test scores and reducing bullying?