LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Michigan schools will soon be required to limit student cellphone use during school hours, but lawmakers remain divided over how far those restrictions should go.

The state Senate on May 6 approved a bill directing public schools and academies to adopt policies that curb cellphone use during school hours. The measure, which passed 28-9 with support from most Democrats and nine Republicans, would leave enforcement and specific restrictions up to individual districts, according to Bridge Michigan.

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​“These policies must aim to limit cellphone use during school hours and reduce distractions in classroom settings, and the policies must be enforced,” Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), the bill’s sponsor, said.

The bill requires policies to be enforced and include exemptions for emergencies, medical devices, and disability accommodations. However, it stops short of imposing a statewide ban, a sticking point for some lawmakers and parents.

To this end, a separate bill advancing in the House proposes stricter limits. It would prohibit phone use in middle schools during class, lunch, recess, and hallway transitions, and restrict high school use. 

Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) called the bill “too permissive” and said it does not solve what she called an “extraordinary problem that needs to be addressed.” Moreover, Sen. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) said school leaders in his district have asked for a stronger statewide policy to avoid local backlash over cellphone restrictions, The Detroit News reported.

Notably, lawmakers considered similar proposals last year but failed to pass a final version. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer renewed the call in her February State of the State address: “Commonsense restrictions on phone use during class lead to more learning and less bullying,” she said.