A bill to ban cell phones in Iowa classrooms is moving forward

Des Moines, Iowa – A bill to limit the use of “personal electronic devices” during class hours was advanced by Iowa lawmakers.

On Thursday, Senate Study Bill 1065 was approved by a Senate subcommittee. The law was submitted in January by Governor Kim Reynolds.

Mobile phones, smartphones, video game consoles, and portable media players are all considered “personal electronic devices” under the bill.

According to the measure, all Iowa schools would have to implement a minimal standard by July 1. Additionally, it mandates that schools teach sixth- and eighth-grade children about the “effects of social media.”

Districts would be permitted to implement stricter restrictions, but the Iowa Department of Education would offer an example policy.

Cell phone usage in the classroom is already prohibited or restricted in a number of Iowa school districts. Ottumwa Schools prohibited cell phones following a trial period last year, Iowa City Schools implemented a policy this week, and Des Moines schools implemented new regulations this year to restrict cell phone use in the classroom.