House amendment to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.
Requires the cell phone-free education policy required under GS 115C-77.1 to permit student use of cell phones during instructional time as follows: (1) if authorized by a teacher for educational purposes; (2) as required by a student’s individualized education plan or Section 504 plan; and (3) as required to manage a student’s health care, in accordance with a documented medical condition. Allows the governing body of a public school unit to establish parameters that must be followed by a teacher allowing cell phone usage for instructional purposes. Makes conforming changes.
Bill Summaries: H87 (2025-2026 Session)
Tracking:
-
Bill H 87 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 25 2025 - View summary
-
Bill H 87 (2025-2026)Summary date: Feb 25 2025 - View summary
House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Exempts remote charter academies and remote academies from GS 115C-77.1's requirement that a public school adopt a cell phone-free education policy. Directs that new GS 115C-77.1 as enacted by the act does not apply to the virtual charter schools participating in the pilot program authorized under Section 8.35 of SL 2014-100, as amended.
-
Bill H 87 (2025-2026)Summary date: Feb 10 2025 - View summary
Adds a new Part 7, Classroom Policies, to Article 7B of GS Chapter 115C, consisting of new GS 115C-77.1, requiring public school unit governing bodies to adopt cell phone-free education policies that eliminate or severely restrict student access to cell phones during instructional time. Requires notifying parents at the beginning of each school year of the Cell Phone-Free Education Policy. Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.