Virginia House Bill HB882

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Students; Department of Education's model policy on cell phone use during instructional time.

Impact

The passage of HB882 will directly influence local school policies, requiring every school board in Virginia to adopt a policy that aligns with the state-mandated model policy. This means that while localities will have some autonomy to tailor the policy to their specific circumstances, they will fundamentally need to conform to the statewide guidelines provided by the Department of Education. The intent is to create consistency across schools regarding the management of cell phone usage during instructional settings.

Summary

House Bill 882 proposes a new regulation concerning the usage of personal cell phones and handheld communication devices by students during instructional time in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill mandates the Virginia Department of Education to develop a model policy aimed at balancing students' academic achievement, cognitive development, safety, and overall well-being. The policy will set forth a prohibition on students possessing or using personal devices during school hours, with allowances for exceptional situations such as emergencies or the need to contact parents.

Contention

The bill may introduce points of contention primarily revolving around enforcement and exceptions to the proposed rule. Some stakeholders may be concerned about how schools will handle unique cases where students genuinely need to use their devices for communication. Critics might argue that such stringent regulations could infringe upon students' rights to access communication tools, especially in situations that require parental contact. Furthermore, discussions may arise on how to balance the need for digital interaction in potential emergency situations with the goal of maintaining a focused learning environment.