MORGANTOWN – The House Education Committee is set to take action on a bill that would allow county school boards to set limits on student cell phone use on school grounds and in classrooms.
HB 2003 came from Gov. Patrick Morrisey, but the version the committee will vote on is substantially different.
Katie Franklin, Morrisey’s deputy general counsel, explained the original version to the committee on Friday and to the Public Education subcommittee earlier in the week.
The bill is intended to create a better learning environment for students by removing constant distractions, she said, and empower teachers to take better control of their classrooms.
The introduced version begins, “Student cell phones shall not be seen, heard, or in use while the student is in the classroom, while school is in session.” It prescribes storage, ringers, headphones and earbuds, and smart watches. It makes exceptions for hallways, lunches and other non-instructional times, emergencies and ADA and Humans Right Act regulations.
The committee substitute that the full committee reviewed on Friday and will vote on next week avoids specific prescriptions. It opens with several legislative findings, including, “Personal electronic devices contribute to a negative classroom environment with increased concerns relating to distractions, academic misconduct, bullying and/or harassment and other inappropriate behaviors. Concerns regarding the mental health of students with unfettered access to personal electronic devices are well-documented and are believed to prohibit the age-appropriate development of relationships, study skills, and other necessary skills to be successful.”
This version requires county school boards to adopt a policy governing personal electronic devices, including if and when they are permitted on campus and in classrooms. It spells out various exceptions, including for students who have Individualized Education Plans that call for access to devices.
It requires boards to set consequences for violations, including confiscation for the day and a permanent ban.
David Gladkosky, executive director of West Virginia Professional Educators, told the full Education Committee on Friday, “This is a good bill and we’re glad to see it going in place.” A survey showed that 66% of WVPE’s members are interested in seeing a policy and 73% want the policy to include exceptions for lunches and recess and such.
Committee chair Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, told the members that the state Board of Education also has a policy under consideration. “Personal Electronic Device Usage in Schools” is open for public comment until March 20.
Friday’s meeting was devoted to a hearing of the bill. Markup and passage and recommendation to the full House is next.
