Florida legislators have passed a measure that bans cell phone use throughout the school day for elementary and middle school students, with a pilot program to test similar restrictions in select high schools.

Previously, students were only barred from using phones during instructional time. Under the new law, that restriction will now apply from the first to the last bell in elementary and middle schools. Rep. Demi Busatta, a Republican from Coral Gables and the bill’s sponsor, described the policy as covering the full school day.

The new rule is part of a broader education package (HB 1105) approved late Friday during the final scheduled night of this year’s legislative session. While lawmakers passed the bill, they did not finalize the state budget and are expected to return to Tallahassee the week of May 12 to complete those negotiations.

For high schoolers, the current rule—no phone use during class—will remain in place. However, the legislation introduces a pilot program in six counties to test a full-day phone ban. The Department of Education will select two small, two medium, and two large counties for participation.

Sen. Danny Burgess, a Republican from Zephyrhills who led the Senate’s effort, said the high school pilot reflects a more nuanced approach due to the “different dynamic” in older grades.

Some lawmakers expressed concerns, including Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, who cited potential problems during field trips, where students may be out of town and unreachable without their phones.

Busatta dismissed those worries, recalling a time before smartphones when parents could still contact schools directly if needed. “They would call the front desk,” she said. “You go to the front desk, you make a call from the front office.”

The bill passed the House 85-14 and the Senate 26-5 and now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis for approval.

In addition to phone restrictions, the legislation includes provisions favoring charter schools. If a district receives sales-tax revenue through a local infrastructure surtax, charter schools would receive a proportional share based on enrollment. The bill also makes it easier to convert traditional public schools into charters by eliminating the current requirement for teacher approval—only parental majority support would be needed.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news