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Bill

Bill

SB 206

requiring school districts and chartered public schools to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Birdsell and 6 co-sponsors

Requires New Hampshire schools to adopt cell phone restriction policies during school hours to reduce classroom distraction and academic interference.

Conference Committee Report: Not Filed HJ 17
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Bill Summary · SB 206

Legislative bill overview

SB 206 requires New Hampshire school districts and charter schools to adopt policies that restrict or eliminate student cell phone use during school hours and educational activities. The bill mandates schools develop written policies addressing when and where phones can be used, with enforcement mechanisms for violations.

Why is this important

Student cell phone use during school is linked to documented concerns about classroom distraction, academic performance, mental health impacts, and cheating. This bill represents a statewide approach to a problem individual schools have been addressing through varying policies, creating consistency across the state while raising questions about implementation feasibility and parent communication access.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation flexibility vs. mandate burden: Schools must adopt policies but have discretion in how restrictive they are, which could create inconsistent outcomes across districts and may place administrative burden on schools already managing budget constraints
  • Emergency communication access: Restricting phones entirely creates tension with parents' expectations to reach children in genuine emergencies, and schools' liability if a crisis occurs while phones are inaccessible
  • Socioeconomic and disability impacts: Students with medical alert devices, diabetes management systems, or anxiety-related needs may face disproportionate burden; lower-income families may have fewer alternative ways to contact students

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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