House Bill 4141 amends Michigan's Revised School Code to require all public school districts and public school academies (charter schools) to adopt and implement a wireless communications device policy that prohibits student use of such devices on school grounds during instructional time.
In addition to the above required prohibition on wireless communications device use during instruction time, school boards could implement additional restrictions on use.
A wireless communications device policy would have to be posted on the website for each school district or public school academy, and the policy would have to include details regarding how it will be enforced.
The bill would repeal section 1303 of the Revised School Code, which allows the board of a school district or PSA to adopt and implement its own local policy concerning whether a student can carry a pocket pager, electronic communication device, or other personal communication device in school.
HB 4141 was first introduced by Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-District 55) and was first introduced last year on Feb. 26. The bill previously failed when it came up for a vote in July. This time around, the bill passed 99-10. This is the first time this term that a defeated bill came back from the grave and was given another vote.
"Every parent knows that phones are addictive devices. We've got to give kids their childhood back," Tisdel said in a press release.
It now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
The policy would have to include exemptions for all of the following:
- Medically necessary devices.
- District-owned devices, such as school-issued tablets and laptops.
- Devices designated by the district to be used for instructional purposes.
- Devices used for special education programming.
- Devices provided as an accommodation to a student as required under section 504 of Title V of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 19731 or as part of an individualized education plan under Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
- Lesson-specific academic assignments, at the limited and direct discretion of a classroom teacher.
- Emergency situations, as described in an emergency operations plan, although the use of a wireless communications device that must not interfere with school emergency protocols or the actions of first responders or endanger students or faculty.
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