Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require all K-12 public schools to adopt policies banning student cellphone use during school hours. Legislative Bill 140, introduced by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, passed its first round of debate with a 44-0 vote on Monday. The measure is part of a broader effort to regulate social media and address mental health concerns among minors.
If enacted, the bill would require Nebraska public schools to implement the new policy before the 2025-26 school year. Exceptions would be allowed for students with special needs, emergency situations, or when authorized by the school district. While many Nebraska school districts already have cellphone regulations in place, supporters argue a statewide policy is necessary to eliminate inconsistencies between classrooms and schools. Sen. Dan Lonowski of Hastings, a former teacher, noted that leaving cellphone policies up to individual teachers can create a “power struggle” and disrupt learning environments.
Lawmakers approved an amendment clarifying that restrictions would primarily apply to classroom hours, addressing concerns that the bill’s language could impact school sports and extracurricular activities. The amendment also broadens the scope to include other electronic communication devices beyond cellphones. Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington raised concerns about unintended consequences, noting that many schools use tablets and smartwatches for educational purposes. She suggested lawmakers clarify the bill’s intent in a future amendment.
Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha expressed concern that enforcement of the new policy could lead to an increase in school suspensions but acknowledged that the bill does not dictate specific disciplinary actions, leaving enforcement up to individual districts. LB 140 must pass two more rounds of debate before reaching Gov. Pillen’s desk fo
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