Alabama students will not be allowed to use their cell phones in classrooms moving forward after the Alabama Senate approved a bill prohibiting cell phone use in schools Wednesday.
House Bill 166, known as the FOCUS Act, by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, had already passed the House of Representatives. The bill states that “no student may possess a wireless communication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during the instructional day unless the wireless communication device is turned off and stored off their person in a locker, car, or similar storage location.”
With the Senate’s approval, the bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey, who has already signaled her approval and intent to sign the bill into law.
“I look forward to getting my signature on this bill and helping our parents and teachers create the best learning environment for our students,” Ivey posted on X Wednesday.
The State Board of Education had previously passed a resolution encouraging local systems to adopt similar policies, and many local systems have already implemented those policies. This bill would require systems statewide to have those policies in place by July 1.
There are exceptions on the ban if the cell phone needs to be used in an emergency situation or if the cell phone use is part of a student’s individualized education plan.
An amendment offered by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, to allow students to use cell phones to contact their parents or guardians failed. Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, sponsored the bill in the Senate and said students can use school office phones if they need to contact parents.
The bill will also requires each local board to develop policies on internet safety on school-issued devices. That includes blocking access to social media as well as limiting access to “only age-appropriate subject matters and materials deemed age-appropriate pursuant to the policy.”
