AN ACT to conduct a study on various cell phone policies in schools.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The Department of Public Instruction, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina School Boards Association, the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, and the University of North Carolina School of Education, shall study cell phone policies in public elementary and secondary schools. The Department shall contact the governing bodies of public school units to collect and then analyze the following information:

(1)        Whether the policy is implemented by the governing board of the public school unit or at the individual school level.

(2)        What the cell phone policy is, and specifically if the school uses any of the following policies:

a.         Complete ban on cell phone use or possession at school.

b.         Storage of cell phones in a secure location during the instructional day.

c.         No cell phone restrictions.

(3)        The impact of the policy on learning.

(4)        The impact of the policy on cyberbullying.

(5)        The impact of the policy on school safety.

(6)        Any other information the Department or consultant agencies deem relevant to the study.

SECTION 2.  No later than June 30, 2024, the Department shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the study conducted pursuant to Section 1 of this act, including the information identified in Section 1 of this act and additionally the following information:

(1)        Number of schools studied.

(2)        Grade level and size of classes studied.

(3)        Recommendations regarding cell phone use.

(4)        Estimated cost of implementing recommended policies, if any.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.