CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Legislature has passed a bill that would prohibit students from using personal electronic devices during instructional time in public school classrooms.
House Bill 2003 heads to Governor Patrick Morrisey’s desk for final approval after being passed by both the House of Delegates and State Senate.
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The legislation aims to minimize distractions in classrooms by banning devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and portable gaming systems not provided by the school.
The bill mandates that county boards of education develop policies for the 2025-2026 school year to implement this prohibition.
These policies must outline procedures for storing devices during instructional time and establish consequences for violations, including possible confiscation and documentation of offenses in the West Virginia Education Information System.
Exceptions are included for students with documented medical needs or those participating in approved work-based learning programs.
Additionally, schools are required to develop protocols to facilitate parent-student communication without disrupting the learning environment.
Supporters of the bill argue that limiting device usage will enhance student focus and reduce issues such as academic misconduct and cyberbullying.
Critics, however, express concerns about enforcement challenges and potential overreach into students’ personal freedoms.
