News Summary
The Rhode Island State Senate has unanimously passed a bill banning cell phones in public schools during school hours and activities. The legislation is aimed at reducing classroom distractions and mandates schools to create policies to limit cell phone use. Exemptions exist for students with medical needs. Additionally, the Senate approved the Freedom to Read Act, which protects libraries from censorship. These measures reflect ongoing legislative efforts to enhance educational environments and ensure access to diverse literary materials.
Providence, Rhode Island – The Rhode Island State Senate has passed a significant bill aimed at reducing classroom distractions by implementing a cell phone ban in public schools during school hours and at school-sponsored activities, including field trips. The legislation passed unanimously with a vote of 34-0 and is now awaiting consideration in the House before being sent to Governor Dan McKee for potential approval. If signed into law, the new restrictions on cell phone use will take effect on August 1, 2026.
Under the proposed legislation, public schools will be mandated to develop policies to restrict the use of cell phones during school hours, addressing concerns around student focus and engagement. However, certain exemptions will be made for students who require cell phones for assistive technology, medical needs as specified in their Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan, and in emergency situations. This balanced approach aims to ensure that students who need access for legitimate reasons are not adversely affected by the ban.
In addition to the cell phone legislation, the Senate also approved the Freedom to Read Act, aimed at protecting libraries and students from book bans and censorship. This legislation empowers authors, publishers, and booksellers to file lawsuits against government entities that censor literary works, with damages of up to $5,000 for each censored title. The bill includes a process for residents to raise concerns about specific books in libraries but seeks to prevent harassment, a consideration raised during discussions led by a Westerly librarian.
The Freedom to Read Act passed with a vote of 30-4, with opposition mainly from members of the GOP caucus. Concerns were expressed regarding the application of similar standards to both public libraries and school libraries, with some legislators citing issues of age-appropriateness as potentially problematic. Despite opposition from some quarters, the bill is viewed as a significant step toward ensuring accessibility to diverse literary materials for all students.
This legislative session also saw the introduction of a companion bill in the House that mirrors the Freedom to Read Act, spearheaded by Representative David Morales. This ongoing legislative effort indicates a growing recognition of the importance of safeguarding intellectual freedom in educational settings.
In related matters, the Senate has also approved legislation aimed at grocery stores, capping the number of self-checkout lanes to six per store while outright prohibiting full self-checkout lanes. This bill, which passed with a vote of 31-3, has the support of various labor unions, who argue that it helps protect jobs among checkout workers. These new regulations will primarily impact grocery stores that derive most of their revenue from food sales. Meanwhile, pharmacies and large retailers will be exempt from these new constraints, addressing concerns raised by industry stakeholders.
It is noteworthy that a similar bill addressing self-checkout restrictions was introduced last year but ultimately failed to make progress in the House. The latest efforts reflect ongoing discussions about the evolving landscape of retail operations and the importance of protecting jobs in the grocery sector.
Overall, these recent developments in the Rhode Island legislature underscore the ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of modern education and consumer habits. With discussions around cell phone usage in schools and the regulation of self-checkout grocery lanes, state lawmakers are attempting to find a balance between technology’s benefits and the need for a focused, job-secure environment.
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Additional Resources
- WPRI: RI Senate Advances Bill for Statewide Cell Phone Ban in Public Schools
- Google Search: Cell Phone Ban Public Schools
- ABC6: School Cell Phone Ban & Freedom to Read Act Pass RI Senate
- Wikipedia: Cell Phone Use
- Patch: RI Senate Passes Bill Banning Cellphones During School Day
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Censorship
- Providence Journal: Cell Phone Ban in Rhode Island Schools Gains Momentum
- Google News: Freedom to Read Act
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
