A Kentucky House bill that could keep cell phones out of the classroom passed through committee Wednesday morning.
House Bill 208 does not set a statewide standard for technology in the classroom, but the bill would require local school boards to adopt policies that prohibit the use of telecommunication devices in the classroom.
“We’re doing this for academic reasons obviously, but we’re also doing this to improve mental health issues,” said cosponsor Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville.
The bill raised questions from some lawmakers about student safety and access to technology in case of an emergency.
“As these policies have been rolled out in different states across the country, some people have just a plastic device where students will put their phones in, so obviously there would be quick access to that,” said cosponsor Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon.
It is similar to a bill filed last year, with Rep. Bray saying this year’s is different because of a social media component. House Bill 208 would make social media sites inaccessible through school technology unless it is allowed by a teacher for an instructional purpose.
“Is there going to be an expense associated with that?” asked Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville.
“It’s my understanding that districts already have this capability, they’ve got a block of explicit material, adult material, they can filter that out through their firewall,” answered Rep. Bray.
The bill does specify that restrictions on telecommunications devices would not be imposed on students who are authorized to use those devices under the American with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, along with future similar measures.
(Photo courtesy of the74million.org)
By Jessicaa Umbro, WKYT.com
