SB 897

DISCIPLINE POLICIES AND CODES OF CONDUCT Present law requi res each local board of education and charter school governing body to adopt a discipline policy to apply to the students in each school operated by the LEA or charter school governing body. Such a discipline policy or code of conduct adopted by a local b oard of education or charter school governing body may authorize a teacher to withhold a student's phone from the student for the duration of the instructional time if the student's phone is a distraction to the class or student. For the 2025-2026 school year, and each school year thereafter, this bill revises the prior provision by, instead, authorizing a teacher to withhold a student's wireless communication device from the student for the duration of the instructional time if the student is noncomplian t with the LEA's or public charter school's wireless communication device policy adopted pursuant to this bill. WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE POLICIES For the 2025-2026 school year, and each school year thereafter, this bill requires each local board o f education and each public charter school governing body to adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that does all of the following:  Except as provided in this bill, prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time.  Authorizes a teacher to allow a student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes during instructional time.  Permits a student to use a wireless communication device in the event of an emergency or to manage the student's health.  Permits a student to use a wireless communication device during instructional time if the student's use of the wireless communication device is included in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or active 504 plan.  Establishes a process by which parents or guardians of students will be contacted in the event of an emergency or possible emergency occurring at the school at which the parent's student is enrolled to ensure that the absence of, or restricted access to, wireless communication devices during the school day does not prevent parents from receiving notice of an emergency or possible emergency. This bill requires each LEA and public charter school to publish the wireless communication device policy established pursu ant to this bill on its website. DEFINITION OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE As used in this bill, a "wireless communication device"" means a portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties, including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and gaming devices. ON MARCH 3, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 932, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 revises the pr ovision that requires the wireless communication device policy to permit a student to use a wireless communication device during instructional time if the student's use of the device is included in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or a c tive 504 plan to also include a situation where the device is included in the student's individual learning plan. ON MARCH 6, 2025, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 932 FOR SENATE BILL 897, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 932, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 permits a student to use a wireless communication device during instructional time if t he wireless communication device is being used by a student with a disability for the operation of assistive technology to increase, maintain, or improve th e student's functional capabilities ."