AN ACT TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO DEVELOP AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS LOCATED WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT AGE-APPROPRIATE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE POLICIES RELATING TO STUDENT CELL PHONE POSSESSION AND USE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY DURING THE ACADEMIC SCHOOL DAY FROM BELL-TO-BELL; TO SPECIFY THE MINIMUM PROVISIONS TO BE CONTAINED IN EACH SCHOOL CELL PHONE-FREE EDUCATION POLICY APPLICABLE TO ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS; TO PRESCRIBE EXCEPTIONS TO POSSESSION; TO PROHIBIT STUDENTS FROM BEING SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF ANY VIOLATION OF SUCH POLICIES; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR OFF-SITE EVENTS; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO MAKE ITS POLICY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE AND POSTED PROMINENTLY ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WEBSITE; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS, WHEN DESIGNING ITS CELL PHONE-FREE EDUCATION POLICY, TO INCORPORATE SCHOOL-BASED EMERGENCY BEST PRACTICES IN ITS COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-11-55 AND 37-11-57, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS REGARDING THE PROHIBITION ON SUSPENDING OR EXPELLING STUDENTS FOR BEING IN VIOLATION OF THE CELL PHONE POSSESSION POLICY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Impact
The bill emphasizes restricting cell phone use to minimize distractions and disruptions to the learning environment. It also requires school districts to ensure that students who possess cell phones must store them away during instructional hours, thereby attempting to promote better focus among students. Moreover, it prohibits schools from expelling or suspending students solely based on violations of the cell phone policies, which could significantly alter the disciplinary practices in schools across the state.
Summary
House Bill 702, introduced by Representative Faulkner, mandates that local school boards develop and implement policies concerning student cell phone possession and use on school property throughout the school day, specifically from bell-to-bell. The bill requires these policies to be age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school students. It defines 'bell-to-bell' as the period during which educational activities occur, extending to lunch and transition times between classes.
Contention
While supporters argue that these policies will enhance focus and reduce technology-related disruptions during classes, opponents might raise concerns regarding the effectiveness of such restrictions. Additionally, the bill requires that any disruption caused by violating these policies not constitute sufficient grounds for suspension or expulsion, which could be viewed as undermining teachers' authority in managing classroom behavior effectively. This could lead to debates on how best to balance discipline with student rights and responsibility.
Implementation
Each school district is charged with establishing a comprehensive safety plan incorporating best practices for managing emergencies and communications during such events. Policies must be publicly available, ensuring transparency and accessibility to both parents and educators. This step is crucial in building trust and clarity regarding how schools will handle situations if cell phone access is needed during emergencies.