Utah legislation proposes statewide cellphone ban in schools

Stock image of the Utah State Capitol Building | Image by Michael Hart on Unsplash, St. George News
Stock image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE —A bill in the 2023 Utah Legislative session proposes to ban cellphone use in public classrooms. Instead of teachers asking students to stay off their phones, they may be required to surrender their phones when the bell rings.

Close up of students using mobile phones, unspecified location and date | Photo provided by Pixaby Stock Images, St. George News

The school cellphone usage amendment, designated as HB 270, in the 2023 Utah Legislature, is sponsored by Rep. Trevor Lee. He said it would mean teachers would have cubbies for students to place cellphones into and pick them back up as they leave the classroom.

The proposed legislation states that, with exceptions, students should not be allowed to possess a cellphone or smartwatch while in a classroom.

During an education committee on Friday, representatives voted to update the wording of the bill to include the words, “if a student’s cellphone or smartwatch use is determined by an educator or administrator to be disruptive or interring with classroom instruction.”

The current exceptions stated in the bill are:

  • If it is necessary to respond to a health or safety issue.
  • If it is expressly stated in a student’s individualized education plan due to physical or learning disability.
  • If a note from a parent deems it as medically necessary.
  • If it is during a break or lunchtime at a secondary school.

The bill also clarifies that it “requires a local education agency (LEA) to enforce the provisions of this bill, in the manner determined by the LEA.”

Lee told St. George News that he chose to sponsor this bill because teachers have reached out to him regarding the distractions that devices can cause inside their classrooms.

“We’re starting to learn the unhealthy side effects of phone use for children — why not get ahead of it?” Lee said. “Help with teacher retention, help the kids and see where it goes.”

Opposition to the bill was prevalent on Friday during the education committee meeting. The committee failed to provide a favorable recommendation with a 3-9 vote. Those in favor of the bill were Rep. Clancy, Rep. Moss and Rep. Romero. Many contributed public comment during the committee meeting including administration from Cypress High School.

Robert McDaniel, principal at Cypress High School, said his school has effectively enforced a no-phone policy for five years. His assistant principal, Robin Tenbrink, said it was effective to have a schoolwide no-phone policy and that it would be even more beneficial to have a statewide policy.

Stock photo | Getty Images, for St. George News

Others, including parents and teachers, disagreed with the bill saying that the issue should be handled on a local level. Dunham, director of communication and public relations for Washington County School District told St. George News that they are currently taking a stance of opposition to this bill.

“We feel like it puts us in a precarious situation with parents that are going to feel like they need to get ahold of their children in emergencies,” Dunham said. “It makes us to be the police for a situation that we are getting through okay right now.”

Shauna Lund, who serves as the communications and foundation coordinator for Iron County School District, told St. George news that their current policy on cellphones is left up to individual schools and classrooms.

“What we would support is local school boards and parents working together to establish a local policy regarding cellphone use in schools,” Lund said.

She expressed questions regarding the bill’s expectation of enforcement.

“Currently, school districts aren’t allowed to do enforcement on other things … what does that enforcement look like and where does the authority for that enforcement come from?” Lund said. “As far as disciplinary action and setting those rules, we support it being individual schools and classrooms setting those rules, and if it is school board policy, we support local school boards working with parents so that the policy is agreed upon.”

The bill had its first hearing in the House and was assigned a fiscal note. It currently sits in the hands of the house education committee for preparation to receive its second reading in the House.


Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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