Under SB92, students would be barred from using, operating, or possessing wireless communication devices on public elementary or secondary school grounds during school hours, with certain exceptions. These rules would be governed by written policies established by each local board of education to enforce the law.
Governor Kay Ivey voiced her approval of the bill in a Facebook post, saying, “The Senate unanimously passed the FOCUS Act, which removes the distraction of cell phones during students’ classes. There’s a time and a place for our phones, but while a teacher is teaching is NOT it. Thank you, Sen. Donnie Chesteen. Let’s get this bill to my desk!”
The House and Senate versions of the bill must now go through the opposite chamber. Whichever version is approved by both chambers first will head to Governor Ivey for her signature. Given the smooth progress in both chambers, the legislation appears likely to succeed.
