HB 1343: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that cellphone use in schools can be detrimental to student achievement and wellbeing.  Research has shown that allowing cellphones in the classroom impacts student focus and engagement, leading to decreased academic performance on tests and adversely impacting students' long-term learning retention.  Excessive cellphone use can also distract students from in-person socialization, which is critical for students' physical and mental wellbeing.

     The legislature further finds that there is a growing number of states that are banning or restricting cellphone use in schools.  At least nineteen states have passed laws or enacted policies that ban or restrict students' use of cellphones in schools statewide or have recommended that local districts enact bans or restrictive policies.  In Hawaii, efforts to ban cellphones in schools have had a positive impact on students, with teachers reporting fewer distractions in class and more social interactions among students.

     The legislature declares that banning the use of cell phones and related devices, such as smart watches, earbuds, AirPods, Bluetooth connected headphones, and smart glasses, by students during school hours is a matter of statewide concern.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the board of education to adopt a policy that bans the use of cell phones and related devices, such as smart watches, earbuds, AirPods, Bluetooth connected headphones, and smart glasses, by students during school hours.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Phone-and-related-devices-free, bell-to-bell policy.  The board shall establish a phone-and-related-devices-free, bell-to-bell policy for public schools to be implemented beginning with the 2025-2026 school year; provided that the policy may be implemented in phases for each school level."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Phones; Related Devices; Ban

Description:

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that cellphone use in schools can be detrimental to student achievement and wellbeing.  Research has shown that allowing cellphones in the classroom impacts student focus and engagement, leading to decreased academic performance on tests and adversely impacting students' long-term learning retention.  Excessive cellphone use can also distract students from in-person socialization, which is critical for students' physical and mental wellbeing.

     The legislature further finds that there is a growing number of states that are banning or restricting cellphone use in schools.  At least nineteen states have passed laws or enacted policies that ban or restrict students' use of cellphones in schools statewide or have recommended that local districts enact bans or restrictive policies.  In Hawaii, efforts to ban cellphones in schools has had a positive impact on students, with teachers reporting fewer distractions in class and more social interactions among students.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the board of education to adopt a policy that bans the use of cell phones and related devices, such as smart watches, earbuds, AirPods, and Bluetooth connected headphones, by students during school hours.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Phone-and-related-devices-free, bell-to-bell policy.  The board shall establish a phone-and-related-devices-free, bell-to-bell policy for public schools to be implemented beginning with the 2025-2026 school year; provided that the policy may be implemented in phases for each school level."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Phones; Related Devices; Ban

Description:

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1083

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1343

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1343, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of cell phones and related devices by students during school hours.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Education; Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that cell phone use in schools disrupts student learning, reduces engagement, and impacts overall academic success.  Furthermore, excessive screen time limits face-to-face interactions, which are essential for students' social and emotional development.  This measure directs the Board of Education to establish a statewide policy prohibiting student use of cell phones and similar devices, such as smartwatches and wireless headphones, during school hours to foster a more productive, inclusive, and distraction-free learning environment.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1343, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  581

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1343

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1343 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Board of Education.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that cellphone use in schools can be detrimental to student achievement and wellbeing.  Research has shown that allowing cellphones in the classroom affects student focus and engagement, leading to decreased academic performance on tests and adversely impacting students' long-term learning retention.

     Your Committee further finds that there is a growing number of states that are banning or restricting cellphone use in schools, with at least nineteen states having passed laws or enacted policies that ban or restrict students' use of cellphones in schools statewide or recommending that local districts enact bans or restrictive policies.  Your Committee believes that banning the use of cellphones and related devices, including smart watches, earbuds, AirPods, Bluetooth connected headphones, and smart glasses, by students in schools will increase student productivity and improve academic achievement.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending the preamble to:

          (A)  Declare that the banning of cell phones and related devices by students during school hours is a matter of statewide concern; and

          (B)  Include smart glasses in the list of devices that would be considered to be banned under a Board of Education policy;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1343, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1343, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,