OLYMPIA — A bipartisan bill aiming to limit student cellphone use in the classroom advanced out of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee Wednesday.  

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), would lay the groundwork to help school districts find the best approach for restricting student cellphone use in ways that work best for their schools.

“A statewide, one-size-fits-all ban on students using cellphones in the classroom is not realistic. But we can create a vision for device-free schools in Washington,” Liias said. “Many of our school districts have already implemented policies restricting cellphone use. This bill would give the districts that do not yet have a policy the information they need to make the best decision for their students.”

To help create the vision of device-free schools in Washington, the bill tasks the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with submitting two reports summarizing the policies and procedures that Washington’s public schools have adopted to limit student device use, the implementation barriers they face, and evidence-based recommendations for healthy device use during school hours. The bill would also have OSPI make information available online that includes research on student use of mobile devices and best practices for teaching students how to use them responsibly.

A 2025 study found that adolescents spend more than a quarter of their time on their cellphones during a 6.5-hour school day. Research has also found that leaving cellphones out of the classroom helps students comprehend course material more, have less anxiety, and be more mindful.

Danica Noble, a representative from the Coalition for a Media-Safe Childhood, said the bill is a key step in helping Washington’s classrooms become device-free.

“Today’s Senate Education Committee vote is a welcome step toward restoring focus, connection, and mental wellbeing in our schools,” Noble said. “We’re grateful for the public debate advancing Sen. Liias’ bill, and we look forward to the next steps to ensure classrooms are for learning and not distraction.”

The bill heads to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.