Bill > H0229

This bill requires local school districts in Idaho to develop and adopt a policy regarding student possession of wireless electronic communication devices (such as smartphones, tablets, and other text-messaging devices) by August 1, 2025. The policy must be approved by the school district's board of trustees and included in the district's written student conduct standards. Specifically, the policy must, at a minimum, prohibit the use of these devices in classrooms during academic instruction periods. If the policy includes provisions for confiscating these devices, it must also outline a process for returning the devices to students. The bill defines "wireless electronic communication devices" broadly to include telephones, personal digital assistants, paging devices, text-messaging devices, and other similar communication technologies. The legislation is intended to provide a statewide framework for managing student use of electronic devices in educational settings, with the emergency clause indicating the law will take effect immediately upon passage and approval.