Legislature votes to ban cell phones in public schools

May 7, 2025 – MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama Legislature sent a powerful message to Alabama's public-school parents when they passed landmark legislation banning students bringing their cell phones to school.

House Bill 166 (HB166) is sponsored by State Representative Leigh Hulsey (R-Pelham). It was carried in the Senate by State Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan).

Students wasting time playing games, cruising social media sites, and texting their friends has become an enormous distraction for teachers. The Legislature was determined to address this matter head on.

Sen. Chris Elliot (R-Josephine) had amended the Senate version of the bill and he attempted to do the same to the House version.

"I have heard from my constituents, and they told me don't take away my ability to call home and say that soccer practice has been cancelled," said Elliot.

Sen. Elliot said that members would hear from parents angry that they can't, "Can't communicate with their child," if the bill passed without his amendment.

Sen. Chesteen said, "I urge members to table the amendment."

The tabling amendment was adopted in a 9 to 22 vote.

The unamended bill passed the Senate 30 to 2.

Chesteen said, "I thank you and the teachers who are teaching in the classrooms thank you as well."

Senator Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham) said, 'Most classrooms have phones today, but some don't."

Sen. Coleman Madison said that the Legislature should provide funding so that schools without phones can install them.

Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) said, "My daughter is a high school principal and the stories she has shared with me about phones in the classroom are unbelievable. Senator (Chesteen) I want to thank you for bringing this."

The Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act is now on Governor Ivey's desk awaiting her signature.

According to the synopsis, the bill will, "Prohibit the use, operation, and possession of wireless communication devices on certain public school properties; to require local boards of education to adopt an Internet safety policy; to add Section 16-40-13 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require students to complete a social media safety course prior to entering the eighth grade; and to repeal Section 16-1-27, Code of Alabama 1975, providing for the use of electronic communication devices on school property. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. The Legislature finds and declares the following: (1) Each student in an Alabama public K-12 school should be college-ready or career-ready upon high school graduation.(2) Many high school teachers believe that cell phones and other electronic communication devices are distracting students in the classroom. (3) Studies have shown that cell phones and other electronic communication devices are negatively impacting learning outcomes. (4) Studies have shown that increased social media usage may negatively affect the mental health of school-aged children."

Wednesday was Day 29 of the 2025 Legislative session. The Legislature will meet on Wednesday, May 14, for the final day of this year's session.