Iowa House passes bill to restrict cell phone use in classrooms

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - The Iowa House on Tuesday passed a bill that would limit the use of cellphones in schools, sending it to Governor Kim Reynolds’ desk to be signed into law.

House File 782 would require school districts in Iowa to adopt policies to limit the use of phones or other personal electronic devices during instruction time.

“Digital distractions are at an all-time high, disrupting focus, learning, and productivity in our classrooms,” Gov. Reynolds said in a statement released Tuesday following the bill’s passage. “Iowa students deserve to learn free from the disruption of personal electronic devices to fully focus on their education. We’ve seen tremendous progress in student behavior and engagement at our schools that have already implemented such policies. I look forward to signing this bill, allowing every Iowa student to once again prioritize learning.”