School cellphone policy bill passes House

A bill requiring school districts to adopt cellphone policies unanimously passed the House on the Legislature’s return to session Jan. 13.

Senate Bill 106 returns to the Senate with a House amendment that would require districts and charter schools to include a plan to monitor discipline data related to student cellphone-use policy violations, and require the department to help districts and charter schools develop policies if needed. Districts and charters would be required to post their policies online by Monday, Aug. 31.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover South, and Rep. Kim Williams, D-Newark, passed the Senate May 20 with 20 yes votes and one absent.

“SB 106 sends a clear message to school districts that inappropriate cellphone usage in our schools directly correlates with low productivity, poor test performance and increased behavioral problems,” Buckson said.

The legislation came out of the Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force, which identified cellphones as a significant classroom disruption and recommended the General Assembly implement a statewide framework for school cellphone policies.

In the Senate, SB 26 regarding unemployment benefits for employees in a labor dispute passed 16-5 and now goes to the House.

Both chambers passed resolutions committing to civility in public discourse, and in support of law enforcement.

The law enforcement resolution took a personal turn as Ryan Dunphy, secretary of the Senate, spoke about his late brother-in-law Cpl. Matthew “Ty” Snook, who was shot and killed before Christmas while working at the New Castle Division of Motor Vehicles. 

“I’m so thankful that 13 years ago, when I went to pick up Kassie on our first date, Ty opened the door and immediately made me feel welcome into his family,” Dunphy told the chamber. “I will forever cherish the moments I had with him. And I will never forget how kind, caring and strong Ty was both physically and spiritually. As an only child, I never thought I knew what it would be like to have siblings. But I wasn’t just Ty’s brother-in-law – he was and will always be my big brother and one of my best friends.”

Sen. Nicole Poore, D-New Castle, also shared her sorrow over losing a neighbor and friend whom she had known over the years through the wrestling community, and as Ty moved into his law enforcement career.