Tennessee House Bill HB0932

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/18/25
• Refer: 2/25/25
• Engrossed: 3/4/25
• Enrolled: 3/13/25
• Passed: 3/28/25
• Chaptered: 4/4/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to communication devices at schools.

Impact

The bill is set to impact the 2025-2026 school year and could enhance uniformity across local education agencies as they adopt the mandated policy. The requirement for districts to publish their policies online promotes transparency and accountability. Additionally, it safeguards communication during emergencies by ensuring parents are notified despite restrictions during school hours. Furthermore, it may lead to enhanced educational outcomes for students with disabilities who rely on these devices as assistive technology.

Summary

House Bill 932 aims to amend the Tennessee Code regarding the use of wireless communication devices in schools. It establishes guidelines that will require local boards of education and public charter schools to implement a policy restricting the use of such devices during instructional time, with specific exceptions. These exceptions include allowing devices for educational purposes, in emergencies, or as specified in individualized education programs for students with disabilities. The intent is to enhance the educational environment while also considering student safety and communication needs.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment around HB 932 appears to be mixed, with proponents emphasizing the importance of creating an undistracted learning environment, while opponents express concerns about the restrictions imposed on students' ability to communicate with their families during critical moments. There’s also apprehension about equity in technology access, particularly for students in need of assistive devices. Debates highlighted the balance between maintaining order in educational settings and recognizing the essential role communication devices can play.

Contention

A notable point of contention revolves around the restrictions imposed on students’ personal devices during instructional time, which some critics argue may be too limiting. Concerns have been raised about potential instances where students may need their devices for health-related reasons or other urgent communications. Thus, while the bill effectively centralizes authority over device policy in local jurisdictions, the implications for individual student rights and needs continue to be debated.