TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Two Oklahoma lawmakers are working to make a temporary ban on student cellphone use during school hours permanent.
Rep. Chad Caldwell and Sen. Ally Seifried have filed bills in the House and Senate, respectively, to extend the current one-year statewide ban. The proposed legislation would require all public schools to enforce the ban from the first instructional bell until dismissal, eliminating the option for districts to opt out.
Caldwell said the decision was inspired by positive feedback from educators, parents, and communities.
“When you talk about some of our superintendents and some of the just the kind of the anecdotal stories you have, we’ve heard everything from lower discipline and lower behavioral issues,” he said. Caldwell added that schools have reported fewer classroom distractions, improved teacher effectiveness, and better student well-being.
Seifried emphasized the importance of allowing students to focus on their work without the constant distraction of phones.
“We know in Oklahoma, our academic outcomes are what they should be, and so I think by giving students seven to eight hours to really just be, be a kid again and focus on their work,” she said.
The bills, House Bill 3715 and Senate Bill 1719, include exceptions for medical reasons and emergencies, which would be determined by local school boards. Both measures would take effect July 1, but declare an emergency, meaning the law would go into effect immediately upon approval.
