GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 55
Short Title: Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Lee, Burgin, and Barnes (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
February 6, 2025
*S55-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO REQUIRE RE GULATION OF STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS 2
COMMUNICATION DEVICE S DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Article 7B of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by 5
adding a new Part to read: 6
"Part 8. Miscellaneous Requirements. 7
"§ 115C-76.100. Regulation of wireless communication devices. 8
(a) The following definitions apply in this section: 9
(1) Wireless communication device. – Any portable wireless device that has the 10
capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between 11
two or more parties, including the following: 12
a. Cellular telephones. 13
b. Tablet computers. 14
c. Laptop computers. 15
d. Paging devices. 16
e. Two-way radios. 17
f. Gaming devices. 18
(2) Wireless communication policy. – A policy governing the use of wireless 19
communication devices by students. 20
(b) The governing body of a public school unit shall establish a wireless communication 21
policy. At a minimum, except as permitted in subsection (c) of this section, the policy shall 22
prohibit students from using, displaying, or having a wireless communication device turned on 23
during instructional time. 24
(c) A wireless communication policy shall allow student use of a wireless communication 25
device during instructional time as follows: 26
(1) If authorized by a teacher for educational purposes or for use in the event of 27
an emergency. The governing body may establish parameters to be followed 28
by a teacher in granting authorizations. 29
(2) As required by the student's individualized education program or section 504 30
(29 U.S.C. § 794) plan. 31
(3) As required to manage a student's health care, in accordance with a 32
documented medical condition. 33
(d) The governing body shall establish the consequences for violations of the wireless 34
communication policy, which may include confiscation of the wireless communication device 35
and disciplinary measures under the public school unit's Code of Student Conduct. 36 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 55-First Edition
(e) No later than September 1 of the year in which this section becomes effective, every 1
public school unit shall send to the Department of Public Instruction a copy of the public school 2
unit's wireless communication policy. The public school unit shall provide the Department of 3
Public Instruction with a copy of the wireless communication policy anytime it is changed. No 4
later than October 1 of each year, the Department of Public Instruction shall report to the Joint 5
Legislative Education Oversight Committee the number of public school units that are in 6
compliance with this section and the name of any public school unit which is not in compliance 7
with this section." 8
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with 9
the 2025-2026 school year. 10