California lawmakers want school districts to limit and ban smartphone use in schools

California school districts would be required to adopt policies limiting or banning student use of smartphones under a bill approved Wednesday by the state Legislature.

The measure, known as Assembly Bill 3216, received overwhelming, bipartisan support from lawmakers and will now go to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Earlier this summer, the governor called for a statewide ban on smartphones in schools and just two weeks ago he urged schools to restrict their use in classrooms before the start of the academic year.

“It will mean a lot to our students and our children,” its author, Folsom Republican Josh Hoover, said in an interview before the final vote.

If the governor signs the bill into law, districts will have until July 2026 to adopt policies and will be required to update them in future years.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, one of the largest in the country, has banned cellphone use during school days. Sacramento-area school districts have also implemented policies limiting cellphone use.

Sacramento Democratic Sen. Angelique Ashby opposed the bill. The mother of three, who has a daughter in high school, said she didn’t like that her daughter couldn’t have her phone in case of a shooting or other emergency on campus.

“I don’t think kids should be distracted by their phones in class,” Ashby said in an interview Tuesday. “But a bill that could potentially give districts permission to ban kids from bringing their smartphones to school gives me pause.”

The California School Boards Association also opposed the measure, saying it strips districts of the authority to decide what is best for their schools.

The California Teachers Association supported the measure, saying cellphones are a major distraction for students in classrooms. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has also called on school districts to limit cellphone use.

The Bee’s Nicole Nixon contributed to this story.