Idaho Legislature: Ask Legislators to VOTE NO on H0225 - Mobile device policy fund (posted 02/14/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators: emailidaho.com

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

_____________

Yes, schools should minimize mobile device distractions during school hours. Evidence exists that doing so potentially could improve student academic and mental health outcomes. However, H0225 is another wasteful spending bill for schools. Reasons to oppose:

• General fund one-time cost under $285,000. That’s not chump change!

• Gov. Little and Supt. Critchfield already allocated (too much) money for this purpose.

• S1032 - Distraction-free learning policy – if passed, would require schools to set such policy WITHOUT spending additional money.

• Most school districts already have device restriction policies in place.

• Most schools can store student devices in existing lockers or other secure storage.

• Establishes more bureaucracy at State Board of Education to manage the fund.

Specifics:

• Establishes the School Mobile Device Policy Fund to help Idaho school districts and public charter schools reduce mobile device use during school hours.

• Creates a grant program to assist schools in adopting "bell-to-bell" mobile device policies, which restrict student device access from the start to the end of the school day, with limited exceptions for educational or health purposes.

• Provides for grants to purchase equipment like phone storage systems.

• State Board of Education will manage the fund, review applications, and compile data on the policy's effectiveness.

• Sunsets on July 1, 2028.

References:

• Little, Critchfield unveil Executive Order 2024-11, the “Phone Free Learning Act,” to restrict cell phone use in schools (Reward to compliant districts: $5K). By Governor Brad Little (10/31/24): gov.idaho.gov/pressrele…

• S1032 - Distraction-free learning policy: