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Bill > HF273
IA HF273
IA HF273A bill for an act relating to student access to personal electronic devices in schools.
summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to student access to personal electronic devices in schools. On or before December 31, 2025, the bill requires school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt a policy that prohibits student use of personal electronic devices during classroom instructional time. The bill defines “personal electronic device” as a cellular phone or any electronic device that combines a cellular phone with a hand-held computer and that offers internet access, and text or electronic mail capabilities. The bill establishes what the policy is to include. The bill requires school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to make the policy available to the public, provide the department of education with copies of the policy, include the policy in the school district’s or accredited nonpublic school’s student handbook, and provide the parent or guardian of each student with notice of the policy or a copy of the policy.
AI Summary
This bill requires all school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to develop and implement a comprehensive policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices during classroom instructional time by December 31, 2025. The policy must apply consistently across all attendance centers, with potential variations in expectations and disciplinary actions based on grade levels. The policy must specifically outline expectations for device use, allow teachers to permit device use for educational purposes, and provide exceptions for emergencies, health care management, and students with individualized education programs or section 504 plans. Schools must make the policy publicly accessible online, provide a copy to the state department of education, include it in student handbooks, and notify parents or guardians about the policy through various methods such as email, sending a physical copy home, or providing instructions on how to view the policy. The bill defines "personal electronic devices" as cellular phones or electronic devices that combine cellular phone functionality with internet and messaging capabilities, aiming to minimize classroom distractions and improve student focus during instructional time.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (6)
Jerome Amos (D)*,
Timi Brown-Powers (D)*,
Ruth Ann Gaines (D)*,
Daniel Gosa (D)*,
Mary Madison (D)*,
Larry McBurney (D)*,
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Education. H.J. 272. (on 02/10/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF273 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF273.html |
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