This week, a bipartisan-backed bill to restrict cellphone use in Michigan schools failed in the state House after receiving no Democratic votes, despite being a priority for Governor Whitmer. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-55), said it included several compromises based on Democratic input, but it still fell short.
Introduced in February of this year, HB 4141 sought to require school districts to adopt policies limiting student use of wireless devices during school hours. It proposed specific restrictions by grade—such as full bans for elementary students and limiting phone use during instructional time for middle and high school students.
Public support for such limits is high, with 74% of surveyed adults in favor, and Tisdel now plans to work on a stronger version of the bill moving forward.
