Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits student cellphone use in public schools in North Dakota.

Highlights:

• Authorizes school districts or an applicable governing body to adopt and implement policies for schools, which (Sec. 1):

• Requires all personal electronic communication devices to be silenced or turned off, securely locked away, and inaccessible to students during instructional time;

• Ensures students do not have access to personal electronic communication devices by requiring the devices to be locked or stowed away in a secure lockable pouch, phone locker, pencil pouch, manila envelope, or other inaccessible location;

• Schools may limit or allow student access to personal electronic communication devices outside of instructional time, during a school-related activity;

• Includes enforcement provisions to ensure strict compliance with the policy by students and school employees; and

• A student may contact the student's parent or authorized caregiver during the school day if needed by using a school telephone made available to the student in a manner and location designated by the school.

• Specifies that a school may not prohibit a student from possessing a personal electronic communication device for the following reasons (Sec. 1): 

• A medical provider licensed under title 43 determines that the possession or use of a personal electronic communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or

• The possession or use of a personal electronic communication device is required by the student's education program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [Pub. L. 91-230; 84 Stat. 121; 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.], a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], or other plan that must be accommodated under state or federal law.

• Authorizes a school district to collect data on whether the policy is effective or not and its impact on student behavior, mental health, disciplinary incidents, school attendance, and academic performance (Sec. 1).

• Requires that by July 1, 2026, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish a uniform system to assist school districts in reporting the data gathered (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits student cellphone use in public schools in North Dakota.

Highlights:

• Authorizes school districts or an applicable governing body to adopt and implement policies for schools, which (Sec. 1):

• Requires all personal electronic communication devices to be silenced or turned off, securely locked away, and inaccessible to students during instructional time;

• Ensures students do not have access to personal electronic communication devices by requiring the devices to be locked or stowed away in a secure lockable pouch, phone locker, pencil pouch, manila envelope, or other inaccessible location;

• Schools may limit or allow student access to personal electronic communication devices outside of instructional time, during a school-related activity;

• Includes enforcement provisions to ensure strict compliance with the policy by students and school employees; and

• A student may contact the student's parent or authorized caregiver during the school day if needed by using a school telephone made available to the student in a manner and location designated by the school.

• Specifies that a school may not prohibit a student from possessing a personal electronic communication device for the following reasons (Sec. 1): 

• A medical provider licensed under title 43 determines that the possession or use of a personal electronic communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or

• The possession or use of a personal electronic communication device is required by the student's education program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [Pub. L. 91-230; 84 Stat. 121; 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.], a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], or other plan that must be accommodated under state or federal law.

• Authorizes a school district to collect data on whether the policy is effective or not and its impact on student behavior, mental health, disciplinary incidents, school attendance, and academic performance (Sec. 1).

• Requires that by July 1, 2026, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish a uniform system to assist school districts in reporting the data gathered (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits student cellphone use in public schools in North Dakota.

Highlights:

• Authorizes school districts or an applicable governing body to adopt and implement policies for schools, which (Sec. 1):

• Requires all personal electronic communication devices to be silenced or turned off, securely locked away, and inaccessible to students during instructional time;

• Ensures students do not have access to personal electronic communication devices by requiring the devices to be locked or stowed away in a secure lockable pouch, phone locker, pencil pouch, manila envelope, or other inaccessible location;

• Schools may limit or allow student access to personal electronic communication devices outside of instructional time, during a school-related activity;

• Includes enforcement provisions to ensure strict compliance with the policy by students and school employees; and

• A student may contact the student's parent or authorized caregiver during the school day if needed by using a school telephone made available to the student in a manner and location designated by the school.

• Specifies that a school may not prohibit a student from possessing a personal electronic communication device for the following reasons (Sec. 1): 

• A medical provider licensed under title 43 determines that the possession or use of a personal electronic communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or

• The possession or use of a personal electronic communication device is required by the student's education program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [Pub. L. 91-230; 84 Stat. 121; 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.], a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], or other plan that must be accommodated under state or federal law.

• Authorizes a school district to collect data on whether the policy is effective or not and its impact on student behavior, mental health, disciplinary incidents, school attendance, and academic performance (Sec. 1).

• Requires that by July 1, 2026, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish a uniform system to assist school districts in reporting the data gathered (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text