Education

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was withdrawn and its status is uncertain, so it may not become law.

School Rules for Cell Phones

This bill requires Tennessee schools to create rules that limit when students can use cell phones during class time, with some exceptions.

What This Bill Does

• Requires local school boards and charter schools to make rules about using wireless communication devices like cell phones.
• For grades K-8, students must turn off and put away their devices during the day in class.
• For grades 9-12, students must also keep their devices turned off and stored during instructional time.
• Teachers can allow students to use devices for learning purposes if needed.
• Students with health concerns or special education needs may use devices as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local school boards
• Charter schools
• Students in grades K-12

Terms To Know

Wireless communication device

A portable electronic device that can send and receive messages or calls, such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices.

Individualized education program (IEP)

A plan designed to meet the educational needs of a student with disabilities under federal law.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill was withdrawn on February 6, 2025.
• It does not specify what happens if students do not follow the rules.

Official Summary Text

For the 2025-2026 school year, and each school year thereafter, this bill requires

e
ach local board of education and public cha
rter school governing body
to
adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that
does all of the following
:



Generally
requires a student who possesses a wireless communication device
(i) in
grades K-8

to keep the wireless communication device turned off and stowed away during a classroom instructional day
and (ii) in grades 9-12
to keep the wireless communication device turned off and stowed away during instructional time
.



Authorizes a teacher to permit a student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes during instructional time
.



Permits a student to use a wireless communication device to monitor the student's health concern as prescribed by the student's healthcare provider
.



Permits a student to use a wireless communication device during a classroom instructional day or instructional time if the student's use of the wireless communication device is included in the student's
(i) i
ndividualized education program under the
federal
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
or (ii) a
ctive 504 plan developed under Section 504 of the
federal
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
.



Establishes a process by which parents of students will be contacted in the event of an emergency or possible emergency at the school in which the parent's student is enrolled.

As used in this
bill
,
a
"wireless communication device" means a portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties,
and
includ
es
, but not limited to
, c
ellular telephones
, t
ablet computers
, l
aptop computers
,
and
g
aming devices.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 18
By Gardenhire

HOUSE BILL 41
By Howell

HB0041
000523
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,
relative to communication devices at schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) As used in this section, "wireless communication device" means a portable
wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data
communication between two (2) or more parties, including, but not limited to:
(1) Cellular telephones;
(2) Tablet computers;
(3) Laptop computers; and
(4) Gaming devices.
(b) Each local board of education and public charter school governing body shall
adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that:
(1) Except as provided in subdivisions (b)(2)-(4), requires a student:
(A) In any of the grades kindergarten through eight (K-8) who
possesses a wireless communication device to keep the wireless
communication device turned off and stowed away during a classroom
instructional day; and
(B) In any of the grades nine through twelve (9-12) who
possesses a wireless communication device to keep the wireless

- 2 - 000523

communication device turned off and stowed away during instructional
time;
(2) Authorizes a teacher to permit a student to use a wireless
communication device for educational purposes during instructional time;
(3) Permits a student to use a wireless communication device to monitor
the student's health concern as prescribed by the student's healthcare provider;
(4) Permits a student to use a wireless communication device during a
classroom instructional day or instructional time if the student's use of the
wireless communication device is included in the student's:
(A) Individualized education program under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.); or
(B) Active 504 plan developed under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794); and
(5) Establishes a process by which parents of students will be contacted
in the event of an emergency or possible emergency at the school in which the
parent's student is enrolled.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it,
and applies to the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter.