Local state senator coauthors bill to ban electronic devices in Tennessee classrooms

From Local 3 News: In Tennessee, cell phones and other electronic devices in classrooms may become a thing of the past.

Multiple bills related to the matter are being brought to the table this legislation session.

Tennessee State Senator Todd Gardenhire and State Representative Dan Howell teamed up to write a bill to ban cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices in classrooms.

They both said they have had conversations with teachers and superintendents who say students are not paying attention and grades are suffering.

“We met with several superintendents, asked them what did we need to do, help us draft a bill that you could live with and hopefully will be affective. The wordage that we came up with was really suggestions from a lot of the superintendents that we talked to around southeast Tennessee,” said Senator Gardenhire.

The bill is divided into different age groups.

“Students through eighth grade, it’s all day. They have to keep their cell phones off and stored away all day. If you are over the eighth grade, ninth through the 12th, you just have to keep it off during instructional time,” Gardenhire said.

If a lesson requires the use of a cell phone, tablet, or laptop, the teacher will give students permission to use those devices.

Or if the student has a health problem, they will be able to monitor it.

“I’m a type 2 diabetic and I have to keep my eyes on my sugar level all the time or whether or not I have to take insulin shots. There are students who have the same situation I do. A diabetic. You need it to keep your eye on it,” Gardenhire said.

As for emergencies, Gardenhire said those are the responsibility of the school districts.

“In case there is an emergency, either at home or at school, each district will need to develop a policy on how parents can get in touch or the schools can get in touch with the parents if there is an emergency of any kind,” Gardenhire said.

If the bill is passed, it would take effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year.