Proposed Legislation Seeks Uniform Cell Phone Rules Across All School Districts in Maryland
With classroom distractions reaching new heights, Maryland lawmakers are considering a set of bills that would impose uniform cell phone policies in all state schools. From high school hallways to elementary school classrooms, the proposed legislation has the backing of several officials who argue that it’s time for all districts to establish clear and consistent guidelines regarding mobile phone use during school hours.
In the face of rising concerns over student distractions and the increasing influence of technology on education, legislators are moving forward with bills that could reshape how students interact with their phones at school. Although the specifics of the bills vary, they all share one key goal: reducing classroom disruptions and ensuring that students stay focused on their education.
Del. Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County), a leading sponsor of one of the bills, summed up the sentiment during a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing. “Our teachers do not need another challenge in our classrooms and do not need any more distractions,” Mangione said. “There is no need for cell phones as an instructional tool. We do not need cell phones in the classroom.”
The Bills: What’s on the Table?
On January 29th, members of the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee discussed two significant bills that would require school systems across the state to implement cell phone policies. The bills vary in the details of what restrictions should apply and when, but both agree that each school system should have a clear, formalized policy in place.
Del. Nino Mangione’s House Bill 192 takes a firm stance on limiting cell phone usage in schools, particularly for younger students. The bill proposes that high school students would be permitted to use their phones only during lunch periods. Outside of these designated times, phones would be prohibited throughout the day, including between classes. For elementary and middle school students, however, the bill takes a stricter approach, banning cell phone usage entirely during school hours.
In terms of enforcement, Mangione’s bill lays out a clear disciplinary path for those who violate the rules. A first offense would result in a written warning, while a second violation would see the student’s phone confiscated. For a third violation and beyond, the bill allows for additional disciplinary measures as determined by each local school board.
Del. David Fraser-Hildago’s bill, HB 57, takes a slightly different approach. While it also allows for phone use during lunch, it proposes that schools require students to store their phones in a secure place when not in use, such as a locker or storage container provided by the school. However, unlike Mangione’s bill, Fraser-Hildago’s proposal does not differentiate between high school students and those in younger grades. Instead, it mandates that all students, regardless of age, follow the same guidelines for phone use during instructional time.
While both bills have drawn strong support from some members of the committee, they have also sparked debate among others.
Why Now?
The issue of cell phone use in schools is not a new one, but recent reports and studies highlighting the negative impact of technology on student concentration have reignited the debate. Educators and parents alike have expressed concerns that students, particularly younger ones, are increasingly distracted by their phones during class. This can lead to decreased academic performance, disrupted learning environments, and even issues with mental health as students become more absorbed in social media.
Several Maryland school districts have already implemented their own cell phone policies or pilot programs, but the proposed bills aim to ensure that all 24 school systems in the state follow suit. The goal is not to dictate the specifics of each policy but to create a framework that ensures every student has a clear understanding of when and where they can use their phones during the school day.
Opposition and Criticism
While there’s significant support for the bills, some critics argue that such policies are overly restrictive and could have unintended consequences. Some believe that cell phones can be useful tools for students in certain educational contexts, such as conducting quick research or accessing learning apps. There is also the concern that overly stringent policies could disproportionately affect students from lower-income families who rely on their phones to stay connected to school resources or family members.
Despite these concerns, the bills have garnered significant backing from both Republicans and Democrats. In fact, Del. Fraser-Hildago noted that while some school systems have already implemented cell phone policies, it’s important that the state enforces uniform standards across all districts. “We don’t want to leave it up to individual school systems to decide whether or not they should have a policy,” he explained. “All schools need clear guidelines to follow.”
What’s Next?
The bills are still in their early stages, with multiple hearings scheduled over the coming weeks. A sixth bill, sponsored by Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s), is set to be heard on February 12th. As the legislative process unfolds, lawmakers will continue to weigh the pros and cons of restricting cell phone use in schools.
In the meantime, schools will likely continue to navigate the challenges of balancing the benefits and drawbacks of mobile technology in the classroom. Whether or not these new bills will pass remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: cell phones are here to stay, and schools need a solid plan for how to manage their use.
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