(BISMARCK, ND) – The North Dakota Legislature has backed two ‘bell-to-bell’ cell phone bills that would restrict their use in schools.
Last week, the Senate voted 26-19 to kill House Bill 1160. On Monday, Senator Michelle Axtman requested reconsideration of the Senate’s action. The reconsideration, and further explanation of the bill by Axtman, resulted in the Senate’s passage of the bill 42-4.
“The reason for the policy within (House Bill) 1160 is because the new emerging research and data, from across the country and the world, clearly demonstrates that the most effective way to reverse negative trends we’ve been witnessing in our schools, and reducing classroom disturbances, combating mental health issues and increasing test scores, is to enact a clear and concise statewide bell-to-bell policy,” she said.
The North Dakota House passed Senate Bill 2354, a similar one to House Bill 1160, by a vote of 61-29.
