FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Four House Republicans have introduced a bill to ban cell phones in North Dakota schools during certain times of the school day.
House Bill 1160 would create a new section to the North Dakota Century Code related to the prohibition of student cellphone use during instructional time. “Instructional time” means the time when a student is attending class or an educational activity.
“Noninstructional time” includes lunch, recess, time between classes, the time before a student’s first class and after a student’s last class, and open class periods.
West Fargo Representative Jim Jonas is one of the bill’s sponsors. He is a retired West Fargo High School teacher and coach. He has been on the West Fargo School Board since 2018, with his term expiring in 2026.
The other sponsors include representatives Mark Sanford of Grand Forks, Donald Longmuir of Stanley, and Jon Nelson of Rugby.
The bill says the school board in individual districts may adopt a policy governing the use of cellphones during noninstructional time.
HB 1160 is being discussed by the House Education Committee on Wednesday, January 15.
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