SB 206-FN (2025): requiring school districts and chartered public schools to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education.

SB 206-FN (2025)

requiring school districts and chartered public schools to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education.

• Status: Died: conferees could not agree
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0742s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0742s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 13, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 13, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Education Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2025, with 20 people signed in online: 16 in support and 4 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on May 20, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2249h), and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2603h), by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2249h) was adopted on a division vote 345–9 on June 5, 2025, changing the text of the bill. The committee minority's amendment (2025-2603h) was rejected on a roll call 164–192 on June 5, 2025. On June 5, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 314–42. On June 5, 2025 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Ruth Ward. On June 5, 2025 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jim Kofalt.

Sponsors

• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2025, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Education, LOB 101
• March 13, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• April 7, 2025, 10:15 AM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 205-207
• May 20, 2025, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 206-208
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 17, 2025, 2:00 PM: committee of conference, SH 100
• June 19, 2025, 2:00 PM: committee of conference, SH 100

Votes

• March 13, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0742s — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 345, nays 9, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 164, nays 192, failed
• June 5, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2249h — yeas 314, nays 42, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 189:1-a

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 8
• SC 12
• HC 27, page 18