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5/5/2025
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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 Wednesday to vote on a bill to eliminate the distraction of personal electronic devices during school, as well as the Freedom to Read Act. The committee is also scheduled to consider the appointment of former senator Dennis L. Algiere to the Board of Education.
The committee meets Wednesday, May 7, at the rise of the Senate session in Room 313 on the third floor of the State House. It is scheduled to consider:
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The appointment of former senator Dennis L. Algiere to the Board of Education.
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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 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, including:
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2025-S 0022 — Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence), this bill reduces from three years to six months the time required for a nonimmigrant foreign national student who has resided in Rhode Island to be eligible to pay the same in-state tuition as any other Rhode Island student.
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2025-S 0971 — Sponsored by Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), this bill would establish a prekindergarten seat finder to support families in accessing high quality early childhood education programs for 3- and 4-year-old children.
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2025-S 0972 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth Bristol) amends the composition of school bus districts within the state to provide transportation to students in grades kindergarten through 12.
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. Testimony will become a public record.
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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