A statewide standard for cellphone use โin Pennsylvania classrooms is underโ consideration โขas lawmakers return from summerโ recess. The proposed legislation aims to reduceโข distractions and improveโ learning by requiring students โto lock away โฃtheir cellphonesโ during school hours.โ Rep. โMandy โSteele, D-Allegheny County, the bill’sโ sponsor, said a “statewide standard saying thatโค we cannotโ allow children to have โaccessโ to a โsmartphone or cellphones โin class makes a whole โฃlot โคof sense.” โฃThe bill includes exceptions for โขstudents with family members who have medical conditions, volunteer fire company members and first responders, โฃor those with permission from a school โขadministrator. School districts wouldโค need to submit plans to theโ state on โขhow they intend to implement andโ enforce the restrictions. East Pennsboro Area School Districtโ Superintendent Michael Robinson acknowledged the โคchallenges of implementing a blanket ban, noting that aโค single cellphoneโ infraction could cost staff significant time.he โขsuggested targeting legislation rather than a broad ban.
