After lengthy debate, the State House approves a bell to bell ban on cell phones in Pennsylvania schools.
By a vote of 126 to 75, the house approved the ban.
Cheswick Democrat Mandy Steele impassionedly urged her colleagues to vote in favor of the ban, citing numerous studies, including one that said smart phones are keeping children's brains from developing properly.
“It is our duty as state legislators to act, given the overwhelming evidence of harm being inflicted upon our children,” said Rep Steele.
South Hills Republican Natalie Mihalek concedes there is a problem...but said it should be up to individual districts to decide.
“Kids can’t scroll TikTok and learn algebra at the same time,” said Mihalek. “I am advocating for local control as intended by the Pennsylvania Constitution.”
The bill now goes to the senate for concurrence.
The Senate version, sponsored by Republican Devlin Robinson initially passed that chamber by a vote of 46 to one.
Getting a ban is one of Governor Shapiro's legislative priorities for 2026.
