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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
HOUSE BILL 1276 By: Caldwell (Chad)
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to schools; requiring district boards
of education to adopt a policy prohibiting student
cell phone and smartwatch use under certain
circumstances; requiring exceptions for emergencies;
allowing board approval to opt out; requiring annual
approval of opt out policies; defining terms;
providing for codification; providing an effective
date; and declaring an emergen cy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 24-162 of Title 70, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Before the start of the 2025 -2026 school year, each school
district board of education shall adopt a policy to prohibit the use
of cell phones and smartwatches by students enrolled in the district
during the entirety of the school day and while present on school
grounds.
B. District policies described in subse ction A of this section
shall incorporate provisions for emergency use including, but not
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limited to, use to support medical issues documented by a licensed
medical professional.
C. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a school
district board of education may vote to adopt a policy allowing
student cell phone or smartwatch usage during the school day . Any
such policy shall be reviewed and approved by the district board on
an annual basis.
D. For purposes of this section:
1. "Cell phone" means a portable wireless telephone device that
is designed to send or receive transmissions through a cellular
radiotelephone service;
2. "School day" means the entirety of the day fr om the first
bell indicating the beginning of classroom instruction through the
final bell indicating the end of classroom instruction; and
3. "Smartwatch" means a wearable electronic device, designed to
be worn on the wrist, featuring functionalities suc h as
notifications and app support .
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-1-10157 SW 01/14/25