Bridgeport, West Virginia (WDTV) – The House of Delegates passed a bill banning phones in West Virginia public school classrooms on Friday.
House Bill 2003, sponsored by Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw at the request of Governor Patrick Morrisey, would prohibit students from possessing personal electronic devices in a classroom setting during the instructional day and require county boards of education to establish rules governing the ban.
The legislation defines the term “personal electronic device” to mean “any portable device capable of wireless communication or computing, including but not limited to, cellular phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and portable gaming systems not provided by a county board of education.”
“Instructional day” is defined to mean “the period of time from the start of the first instructional period to the end of the last instructional period, including transition times between classes,” according to the bill.
Furthermore, “classroom setting” is defined to mean “an environment where instruction or activities related to the school curriculum are occurring, including but not limited to, general classrooms, gymnasiums, common areas, or any other area where instruction may occur.”
The bill also states that students with “an approved documented need, as required by a medical doctor or licensed healthcare professional” may be exempted from the ban.
The bill requires county boards to develop and publish protocols for parents/guardians to communicate with their children in a way that does not distract the student in the learning environment, which may include specific times when devices are permitted.
The bill is now headed to the Senate for approval.
