Last week, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), in conjunction with Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, announced the publication of a model policy designed to minimize student use of cell phones during school hours.
As the Legal Ledger reported in a recent blog post, Gov. DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 250, which requires each school district and community school to adopt a policy by July 1, 2025, governing the student use of cell phones during school hours. The law also required ODEW to develop a model policy. The model policy:
- Includes information related to cell phone usage in schools.
- Prohibits students from using cell phones or similar electronic communications devices on school property during school hours.
- Requires students to keep cells phones in a secure place (such as a locker, closed backpack or storage device provided by the district) at all times when cell phone use is not permitted.
- Includes an exception for any student who uses a cell phone for a purpose documented in the student’s individualized education program or Sec. 504 plan or to monitor or address a health concern.
- Includes progressive discipline steps for students who violate the policy.
The law requires all districts to adopt a policy on student cell phone use that complies with its provisions but does not require that the policy ban cell phone use by students. As noted above, boards must adopt the required policies no later than July 1, 2025.
ODEW has also published a cell phone usage toolkit with specific resources for school administrators, parents and others. The toolkit includes resources and tools, including guidance to support school engagement without cell phones. The toolkit has strategies to promote healthy behavior, set expectations for screen time, and reduce cell phone use outside of school.
General questions about the new required policy or the model policy can be directed to the legal division at (855) 672-2529. Specific questions should be directed to the board’s policy provider or legal counsel.