Overview
- Indiana’s Senate approved SB78 on a 28–19 vote, sending a full‑day student device ban to the House with districts choosing either no‑device policies or secure, all‑day storage.
- The Indiana bill expands covered devices to include connected smartwatches and would restrict teacher‑directed use to school‑issued equipment, with unresolved details slated for House debate.
- Michigan’s Senate passed companion bills 34–1 to require district policies limiting phone use during instructional time and to set emergency protocols; the tie‑barred package heads toward Gov. Gretchen Whitmer but still needs a final House vote on SB495.
- Utah’s SB69 cleared the Senate Education Committee 6–1 to set a bell‑to‑bell default, with explicit allowances for emergencies, medical needs and SafeUT access, advancing a priority backed by Gov. Spencer Cox.
- Supporters cite research and district pilots showing reduced distractions and better school climate, while opponents warn of safety, costs and practical hurdles such as storage in schools without lockers.