Alabama House committee approves Senate version of cell phone ban

The Alabama House Education Policy Committee Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would ban cellphones in public schools during class instruction time.

SB 92, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, is identical to HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, which passed the House earlier this month. 

“It is identical to the way that we passed it out of the House and amended it on the floor recently. So we’re making sure that they’re tracking identically, and we have been able to successfully do that,” Hulsey, who carried the bill for Chesteen, said Wednesday.

The bill requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cell phones during class hours. Some schools use Yondr Pouches to store phones, but the legislation does not specify how a phone should be stored. 

“They just have to turn the phone off, store it off your person in a locker, car, whatever your storage solution is, it’s a similar solution. Whatever they choose,” Hulsey said.

There are three exceptions for when a student can access their phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes.

The bill was approved with no discussion. It moves to the full House for consideration.