Classroom cell phone ban passes Michigan House with overwhelming support

A priority laid out in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's 2025 State of the State address is one step closer to becoming law, as the Michigan House passed a ban on cell phones in classrooms Wednesday.

House Bill 4141 failed once before, amid disagreements on its differences with a similar Michigan Senate bill.

However, it has now passed the Michigan House with overwhelming bipartisan support: 99-10.

This document provides a summary of Michigan House Bill 4141, legislation that would ban cell phones in classrooms with some exceptions. It now heads to the Michigan Senate. (Michigan Legislature/WWMT) Click here to view the PDF file

"When I was a teacher, next to good morning, the next most common phrase is ‘I need you put your phone away,'" Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) said. "We've always supported the bill in concept, and seeing some bipartisan cooperation bring everyone on board together, means we’re all going to work together to do what’s best for kids."

Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) spearheaded the effort, which bans public and charter school students from using their smart phones during class.

"This puts teachers back in control of the classroom," he said. "It gets students focus back on the teacher, and it gets all the drama associated with the pranks and the videotaping and cyberbullying, it gets that out of the way.”

Students may still use their devices outside of the classroom, and certain phones like "dumb" or old-style flip phones are still allowed.

There are also exemptions for medical reasons and emergencies.

"A lot of time students would get into fights on snapchat that would turn into actual physical fights during the school day," Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) said. "This will help mitigate that from happening and also help deal with that addictive nature of a smartphone."

It'll be up to schools to make their own policies in line with the law, and districts are allowed to be more strict if they'd like.

"They wanted some way to control these during classroom time, educational time," Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Pennfield Township) said. "There’s always a few people that are against things, they wanted instant access. The problem is instant access was often coming as an interruption."

House Bill 4141 now moves to the Michigan Senate. Tisdel is confident it will reach the governor's desk, perhaps before her State of State address this year.