Armstrong Highlights Benefits to Students Requiring Phone Free K-12 Public Schools

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(KNOX) – A new law requiring K-12 public schools in North Dakota to adopt phone-free school policies may be the most impactful legislation of this session, Gov. Kelly Armstrong said.

House Bill 1160 requires all personal electronic communication devices to be securely stowed and inaccessible to students during instructional time from the start of the school day until dismissal at the end of the day – commonly referred to as a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy. The law becomes effective Aug. 1.

“This is a game changer for our public schools, giving students the freedom to focus on learning and to interact with teachers and friends without the constant tug of their cell phones and addictive social media,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate the legislators, education leaders, teachers, parents, students and other stakeholders who worked incredibly hard to pass this bill in just four weeks, because this can’t wait two more years. We need to act now for the academic success, mental health and overall well-being of our students.”

Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden championed the phone-free schools legislation with State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, HB 1160 lead sponsor Rep. Jim Jonas, Sen. Michelle Axtman and others through bill amendments introduced in late March. The amended version of HB 1160 passed the state Senate.