HB 131 - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0218
02/05
HOUSE BILL 131
AN ACT requiring school boards to develop and enact policies regarding personal cell phone use in schools.
SPONSORS: Rep. Ladd, Graf. 5; Rep. Cordelli, Carr. 7; Rep. Drye, Sull. 7; Rep. Noble, Hills. 2; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Lynn, Rock. 17; Rep. Weyler, Rock. 14; Rep. Hill, Merr. 2; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. S. Smith, Sull. 3; Sen. Ward, Dist 8
COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires school districts to adopt policies governing student cell phone use in schools.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0218
02/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT requiring school boards to develop and enact policies regarding personal cell phone use in schools.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Cell Phone Use Policy. Amend RSA 189:1-a by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
V. School boards shall develop and adopt a policy governing student cell phone use in schools. Such policy shall restrict the use of student personal cell phones during class instruction without educator approval. Districts are encouraged to consider exceptions to student use during instruction when an educator is using devices as part of a lesson plan. School district policies shall not prohibit students with disabilities from using a device to support their learning as identified by their individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Nov. 19, 2025 | 2025-3000h |
| Nov. 19, 2025 | 2025-3071h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 23, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| March 12, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| March 12, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| Nov. 5, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| Nov. 5, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| Nov. 5, 2025 | House | Floor Vote |
Nov. 19, 2025: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Nov. 19, 2025: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3071h (NT) 11/05/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
Oct. 22, 2025: Executive Session: 11/05/2025 02:00 pm GP 232
Oct. 22, 2025: Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-3000h: 11/05/2025 09:30 am GP 232
March 6, 2025: Executive Session: 03/12/2025 10:00 am LOB 205-207
March 5, 2025: Retained in Committee
March 5, 2025: Retained in Committee
March 6, 2025: Executive Session: 03/12/2025 10:00 am LOB 205-207
Feb. 25, 2025: Subcommittee Work Session: 03/03/2025 11:00 am LOB 203
Jan. 15, 2025: Public Hearing: 01/23/2025 02:00 pm LOB 205-207
Jan. 6, 2025: Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 2 P. 7