Governor Braun ceremonially signs new law to reduce cell phone use in schools

INDIANA STATEHOUSE – Gov. Mike Braun, while he was at the Clark-Pleasant Community Schools Administration Building in Whiteland on Wednesday morning, signed into law a bill to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during school hours.

Indiana schools and educators are working on how to reduce classroom distractions from student cellphones and other wireless devices. Access to technology devices has been linked to disruptions, off-task behavior, and increased difficulty maintaining student attention. However, at the same time, access to technology for learning, safety, and individual needs is still important.

To address these challenges, Senate Enrolled Act 78 creates a standard for device use during the school day. It requires each school corporation and charter school to adopt a policy that, with limited exceptions, prohibits use of personal wireless devices by students during the school day and mandates either a no-device or structured storage approach.

State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty), the bill's sponsor and a member of the House Education Committee, said, "This new law will support educators and students as we work to improve students' focus and academic engagement."

SEA 78 maintains important exceptions for students who need devices for an Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 plan, medical conditions, emergencies, or language translation, and permits limited use of unobtrusive audio-only recording for notetaking under strict conditions.