News Summary
Tennessee students will face new restrictions on cell phone use in classrooms starting this school year. The legislation, House Bill 0932, requires schools to prohibit cell phone usage during school hours, with specific exceptions for educational purposes, emergencies, and health management. The law also raises the penalties for threats of mass violence in schools and mandates that elementary students engage in at least 40 minutes of physical activity daily, underscoring a commitment to student safety and health. These legislative changes will take effect in the upcoming school year.
Nashville, Tennessee – Starting this upcoming school year, Tennessee students will be subject to new rules that limit cell phone use in classrooms. This new legislation, designated as House Bill 0932, compels local boards of education and charter schools to develop policies that prohibit cell phone usage during school hours, although specific exceptions are outlined.
The exceptions to the new rules may include authorized use for educational purposes, emergencies, health management needs, or situations that are specified in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan. Despite the restrictions, schools are mandated to establish protocols that allow parents or guardians to be notified in emergencies, ensuring that vital communication can still occur.
In addition to the cell phone restrictions, Tennessee has enacted further legislation that elevates the penalties for making threats of mass violence, specifically concerning schools. The severity of this offense has been raised from a Class E felony to a Class D felony, highlighting a tougher stance on school safety.
In another significant shift, elementary school students are now required to engage in a minimum of 40 minutes of physical activity daily, an increase from the previous standard of 130 minutes per week. This change underscores a growing emphasis on physical health and wellbeing among younger students.
The new measures were part of a larger review conducted by the Tennessee General Assembly, which considered nearly 600 bills during the spring sessions. Most of these legislative changes will take effect starting July 1, 2025. Alongside the new regulations on cell phones and student activity, the Assembly approved various other bills that affect different sectors of life in Tennessee.
Examples of these additional legislative measures include new rules addressing human smuggling, protective policies against threats to civil rights, updated firearm regulations, and initiatives concerning medical emergencies related to substance abuse. One noteworthy measure known as the Peace Act defines certain acts of intimidation as misdemeanors while elevating the consequences for non-compliance with police requests.
The changes in legislation reflect a broad spectrum of reforms intended to enhance social policy, improve educational environments, and bolster public safety across schools in Tennessee. The varied array of new laws indicates a proactive approach by the state’s lawmakers to address contemporary issues affecting students and families.
These policy changes are likely to invoke discussions among parents, educators, and students as schools prepare for their implementation. As schools work to establish their specific policies regarding cell phone use and ensure compliance with the new physical activity requirements, the upcoming school year in Tennessee is set to address both educational and safety priorities with renewed vigor.
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Additional Resources
- Nashville Banner: Cell Phone Restrictions in Schools
- Wikipedia: Cell Phone Use in Schools
- Times Free Press: Notable Tennessee Laws
- Google Search: Tennessee Laws 2025
- WKRN: New Laws in Tennessee
- Google Scholar: Tennessee New Laws
- Tennessean: Tennessee Immigrant Harboring Law
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tennessee
- Tennessee Lookout: New Bill Limit
- Google News: Tennessee Legislature 2025
Author: HERE Nashville
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