Limits on Student Cell Phone Use (Ohio)

Executive Summary

Senate Bill 158, introduced by Senator Timken during the 136th General Assembly and as of this publication sits in the Senate Education Committee, would require public school districts in Ohio to adopt and implement policies that limit student cell phone use during school hours. The bill amends Section 3313.753 of the Ohio Revised Code to address growing concerns over classroom distractions while preserving necessary uses related to student health or learning accommodations. It also directs the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to publish a model policy to support school districts in compliance.

Key Provisions

• Definitions – Section 3313.753(A)
• Electronic Communications Device: Any battery- or electrically-powered device capable of sending, receiving, or both sending and receiving communications between people (Section 3313.753(A)(1)).
• School: Any school operated by a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district board (Section 3313.753(A)(2)).
• School Building: Any building used for instruction, extracurricular activities, or training provided by a school (Section 3313.753(A)(3)).
• School Grounds or Premises: Includes (a) the property where a school building is located and (b) any other property owned or leased by the board where instruction or activities occur (Section 3313.753(A)(4)).
• Mandatory Policy by September 1, 2025 – Section 3313.753(C)(1)
• By September 1, 2025, each school district must adopt a policy on student cell phone use during school hours.
• The policy must prohibit all student cell phone use during the instructional day, with limited exceptions (Section 3313.753(C)(1)).
• Permitted Exceptions – Section 3313.753(C)(2)
• Cell phone use may be permitted:
• If deemed appropriate by the district board, or
• If included in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan,
• To support learning or monitor or address a health concern (Section 3313.753(C)(2)).
• Recognition of Preexisting Policies – Section 3313.753(E)
• Districts with existing policies that already meet these new standards will be considered compliant and do not need to re-adopt them (Section 3313.753(E)).
• Public Adoption Process – Section 3313.753(F)
• Policies adopted after the bill’s effective date must be approved during a public board meeting (Section 3313.753(F)).
• Public Access Requirement – Section 3313.753(G)
• All adopted policies must be made publicly accessible and posted on the district’s website if available (Section 3313.753(G)).
• Repeal of Existing Law – Section 2
• The current version of Section 3313.753 of the Ohio Revised Code will be repealed to accommodate these changes (Section 2).

Source: https://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/api/v2/general_assembly_136/legislation/sb158/00_IN/pdf/