The Michigan Education Association praised state lawmakers this week for advancing bipartisan legislation that would require public school districts across Michigan to adopt policies restricting student smartphone use during instructional time.
The move, supporters say, will help improve student focus, learning, and social development in classrooms statewide.
The legislation cleared a key hurdle Thursday, Jan. 22, with passage in both chambers of the Legislature, signaling broad agreement on an issue that has increasingly concerned educators, parents, and school staff.
“We commend state lawmakers for working together on a bipartisan basis to address addictive smartphone use among students,” said MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County.
“Frontline teachers and school support staff know that students must be fully engaged in school to achieve academic success and develop critical social skills. Our kids can’t get the education they need if they’re glued to their screens rather than paying attention in class.”
The legislation is made up of a tie-barred package that includes Senate Bill 495 and House Bill 4141. The measures were sponsored by state Sen. Dayna Polehanki, a Democrat from Livonia, and state Rep. Mark Tisdel, a Republican from Rochester. Together, the bills require every school district in Michigan to adopt a cell phone policy that, at a minimum, prohibits students from using wireless communication devices on school grounds during instructional time, defined in the legislation as “class bell to class bell.”
Under the bills, wireless communication devices are broadly defined to include any device capable of text messaging, voice communication, internet access, entertainment, navigation, or sending and receiving photos, videos, or email.
The legislation makes a distinction between smartphones and basic phones, such as flip phones that do not have internet access. Those devices would not be subject to the same restrictions outlined in the bills.
While the legislation sets a statewide floor, it also gives local school districts flexibility to adopt policies that go further than the minimum requirements. Districts would be allowed to restrict smartphone use for longer portions of the school day if they choose, including banning phones entirely during school hours or limiting their use to specific times, such as lunch periods, or to students in certain grade levels. Supporters say this approach respects local decision-making while ensuring a baseline level of consistency across the state.
The bills also emphasize transparency and accountability by requiring districts to publicly post their cell phone policies, including clear information on how those policies will be enforced. In addition, the legislation outlines several exemptions, including allowances for district-owned devices used for educational purposes, medically necessary devices, special education accommodations, and instructional uses approved by classroom teachers.
Emergency situations are also addressed in the legislation. District policies must include exemptions that allow students to use devices during emergencies in ways that align with each district’s emergency operations plans and established protocols. Lawmakers and education advocates say this provision is intended to balance safety concerns with the goal of limiting everyday distractions in the classroom.
House Bill 4141 has already passed both the House and the Senate. Once the House concurs with the Senate’s version of Senate Bill 495, the tie-barred legislation will be sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is expected to sign it into law. If approved, districts would then move forward with adopting or updating their local policies to comply with the new requirements.
“This has been a top issue for Michigan Education Association members working in rural, urban and suburban schools alike, and we are thrilled to see the House and Senate pass this important legislation,” Madafferi said.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Gov. Whitmer and lawmakers from both parties to address the challenges facing our neighborhood schools, so we can create a brighter future for students in every corner of Michigan.”
