Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- The House approved a bill limiting cellphone use throughout the school day.
- Lawmakers changed the law to add policies for parents to request accommodations for use during "non-instructional time."
- The bill is expected to be approved by the governor after clearing a final vote in the Senate.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House approved a bill limiting cellphone use throughout the school day, moving it closer to the governor's desk where it is almost certain to become law.
SB69 is the follow-up to a similar bill last year that set a default policy barring students from using their phones during class time. This year, Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, wants to apply that same policy throughout the entire school day, including during class breaks and at lunch.
The bill passed the House Wednesday, 46-21, which is a much narrower margin compared to the Senate. It passed after lawmakers changed it to require school districts to allow parents to request an accommodation letting their child "briefly" use their cellphones during "non-instructional time."
"This creates focused students, engaged students, present students and resilient students," said Rep. Doug Welton, R-Payson, a high school teacher who initially opposed the proposal but changed his mind this year. "That's what we want for our children."
"The reason it's back this year is because we've had such success in schools, and schools are asking us to broaden the policy," added Rep. Ariel Defay, R-Kaysville.
SB69 still allows school districts to set their own policy for phone use while providing exceptions for using the SafeUT app, addressing a medical problem or responding to an emergency.
Rep. John Arthur, D-Cottonwood Heights, who is also a school teacher, said the bill will help students on their journey of learning.
"Cellphones get in the way oftentimes and distract from that work that's being done in the classroom," he said.
But 21 Republicans voted against it.
"Of all Senate bills that I've seen, this is probably one that I like the least," said Rep. Troy Shelley, R-Ephraim. "It absolutely oversteps the local school boards."
Daniel Woodruff, KSLOther opponents have expressed concern that the policy will prevent parents from contacting their children during an emergency, and that it's an intrusion from the government.
The bill previously passed the Senate 27-1 and faces one more procedural vote there before heading to Gov. Spencer Cox's desk. The governor has been a vocal advocate of a "bell to bell" phone ban and is expected to sign it into law.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Fillmore said he was pleased his bill cleared the House with a "fine margin."
"I think it's good policy. I think our kids will benefit," Fillmore said. "And I think that a generation from now, when people go and they will look at those 46 representatives who voted 'yes,' and all the kids that are now in school and have their own kids, will send those 46 thank-you notes. And the 21, they'll be like, 'What were you thinking?'"
