HB65INTRODUCED
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HB65
18JW3ZZ-1
By Representative Sellers
RFD: Education Policy
First Read: 04-Feb-25
PFD: 18-Nov-24
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6 18JW3ZZ-1 11/14/2024 GP (L)lg 2024-2867
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PFD: 18-Nov-24
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, local boards of education
have the authority to adopt local policies relating to
pocket pagers, cellular telephones, and other
electronic communication devices.
This bill would require the State Board of
Education to adopt a model policy restricting the use
of cell phones and other electronic communication
devices in public K-12 schools during the school day,
with some exceptions.
This bill would also require each local board of
education to adopt a policy relating to the use of
electronic communication devices based on that model
policy.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to public K-12 education; to amend Section
16-1-27, Code of Alabama 1975; to require the State Board of
Education to adopt a model policy restricting the use of cell
phones in public K-12 schools; and to require each local board
of education to adopt a policy based on that model.
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of education to adopt a policy based on that model.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 16-1-27, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"§16-1-27
(a) A local board of education may permit any pupil to
carry a pocket pager, cellular telephone, or other electronic
communication device while on school property and may permit
any pupil to use a pocket pager, cellular telephone, or other
electronic communication device, when such use is expressly
and specifically permitted by the school administrator,
teacher, or employee who is acting in a supervisory capacity
at the time of the use. For purposes of this section, the
following terms have the following meanings:
(1) ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE. Any privately
owned, portable wireless device that has the capability to
provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between
two or more parties including, but not limited to, a cellular
phone, tablet, computer, pager, or other electronic messaging
device. This term does not include any device that is owned or
issued to students by the local board of education.
(2) STATE BOARD. The State Board of Education.
(b)(1) No later than January 1, 2026, the state board
shall adopt a model policy that prohibits public K-12 students
from using an electronic communication device during the
school day.
(2) The model policy shall provide exceptions
including, but not limited to, permitting a student to use an
electronic communication device:
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electronic communication device:
a. In the event of an emergency or to manage the
student's health care; or
b. If the use is included in the student's
individualized education program (IEP) or a plan developed
under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.
§ 794. Any pupil found in violation of this section shall be
subject to suspension by the board of education.
(c) Each No later than the beginning of the 2026-2027
school year, each local board of education may adopt shall
adopt and implement a local policy that pertains to pocket
pagers, cellular telephones, and other electronic
communication devices relating to the use of electronic
communication devices on school property. The policy, at a
minimum, shall reflect the model policy adopted by the state
board."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on June 1,
2025.
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