MI Bill To Ban Cellphone Use In K-12 Public Schools Passes House: What's Next

The Michigan House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would ban cellphone use in K-12 classrooms across the state.

House Bill 4141, sponsored by Rochester Hills Rep. Mark Tisdel, would prohibit K-12 public school students from using smartphones during instruction time. They may still be able to use their phones while passing classes and during lunch, mainly so they can still coordinate after-school activities with their families.

Traditional flip phones are exempt, as are situations involving medical needs or emergencies.

Additionally, the legislation does not prevent schools from implementing their own stricter cellphone-use-policy.

"Every parent knows that phones are addictive devices," Tisdel said. "We’ve got to give kids their childhood back."

The bill first failed last July when 53 Republican lawmakers voted in favor, but got zero support from Democrats, even though Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made it a priority in her 2025 State of the State address.

Tisdel, however, noted that that result was more due to contentious negotiations over the state budget, rather than the merits of the bill.

This is the first time this term that a defeated bill came back and was given another chance.

This time bill passed the House with 99 votes in favor to 10 against, with one not voting.

If the Senate moves quickly, the bill could reach Gov. Whitmer’s desk in time for her upcoming—and final—State of the State address.

Tisdel said he is now working on legislation to give parents greater authority over their children’s use of social media.

Florida was the first state to ban the use of cell phones during instructional time in schools. Since then, eight other states have joined in passing a statewide ban or restriction.