Alabama lawmakers send school cellphone ban to Gov. Kay Ivey

The Alabama Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a ban cellphones during school hours in public schools.

HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, would require local school boards to adopt a policy for students to store cellphones during class hours. The bill passed on a 30-2 vote and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Much of the discussion on the Senate floor centered around an amendment proposed by Sen. Chris Elliot, R-Josephine, that would have allowed students to use their phones to contact their parents or legal guardians.

Elliott said that while he “support[s] what he’s trying to do,” constituents told him they were concerned about not being able to reach their children during school hours. The chamber voted the amendment down on a 9-23 vote.

“You’re going to hear from parents back home if this passes,” Elliot said to the body.

Students can access their phones under three exceptions: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it, for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes.

Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, who sponsored a similar bill and handled the legislation in the Senate, said that students can use the school’s front office to contact their parents.

“In school systems where this has been implemented, it has worked,” Sessions said.

Cellphones can be stored in a locker, car or other storage device so long as they are not on the student’s person. According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of U.S. high school teachers say that cellphone distraction is a major issue in their classrooms. At least 11 states ban or restrict cellphone use during school hours, according to KFF, and 17 other states have introduced legislation.

Ivey in her 2025 State of the State endorsed legislation to ban cellphones in schools, saying that social media is negatively impacting students.