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4/29/2025
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Media Advisory: Senate Education Committee to vote on legislation to ban cell phones during school day
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate Education Committee will meet tomorrow to vote on numerous bills, including one aimed at eliminating the distraction of personal electronic devices during school.
The committee meets tomorrow, Wednesday, April 30, at the rise of the Senate session in Room 313 on the third floor of the State House. Among the bills it is set to consider are:
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2025-S 0771 — Sponsored by Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) this bill would require each public school to have a policy regarding the use of personal electronic devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities, including a prohibition on physical access during the school day, with exemptions allowed for assistive technology and other special needs.
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2025-S 0021 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket), extends teacher certifications without fee or penalty for three or five years for teachers who hold certifications as of July 1, 2025.
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2025-S 0238 — The Freedom to Read Act, sponsored by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), promotes free expression and access of information by prohibiting the censorship of library materials.
The committee will also hold hearings on several bills, most of which concern students with disabilities, including:
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2025-S 0176 — Sponsored by Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) the Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Act would enable students 18 through 21 or 22 who have disabilities to audit and otherwise attend state colleges and universities using the students’ foundation education aid.
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2025-S 0887 — Also sponsored by Senator DiMario, this bill would protect against discrimination based on disability in federally funded programs and activities, even if there is a change in the federal law.
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2025-S 0234 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence) requires transition planning for high school students with disabilities who have a 504 plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP).
The meeting will be televised by Capitol Television on Cox channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) channel 15; and Verizon channel 34. Senate committee hearings may also air on Channel 75 for Cox Subscribers. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv
Any written testimony must be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov prior to 3 p.m. Wednesday for the bills being heard that day in order for it to be provided to the members of the committee at the hearing and to be included in the meeting records.
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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