Minnesota lawmakers send mixed signals on statewide cell-phone policy proposal

(St. Paul, MN) -- There was mixed opinion from Minnesota lawmakers on a statewide cell-phone policy in schools.

Several school administrators testified to phone limitations they placed on students in their district on Tuesday. They placed their support behind HF4581, which would request the Minnesota School Boards Association create a cell-phone policy that could be used by districts across the state by December 15th, 2024, and for those districts to adopt a policy by March 15th, 2025. 

The administrators proposed a policy for the MN SBA to follow, but the legislation would not require the association to follow the given policy. 

Lawmakers had a wide range of responses to the proposal.

• Rep. Sandra Feist (DFL-New Brighton and bill sponsor): “The more we understand about cell phones in schools, the more it is clear that we need to be proactive, collaborative and thoughtful in how and when their use is permitted.”
• Rep. Kirstin Robbins (R-Maple Grove): Focused on making the cell phone reductions, if made, school wide, “Otherwise, there’s good teachers who let you have your phone, and they’re the cool teachers,” Robbins said. “And then there’s other teachers who are the mean, awful teachers who don’t let you have your phone. … So it has to be a building-wide decision to be effective.”
• Rep. Peggy Bennet (R-Albert Lea): “We have inundated them with mandates, and they need a chance to catch their collective breaths.”

The bill did not move forward, and was held for future consideration.