All Roll Calls
Yes: 152 • No: 3
ArkansasSB1422025 Regular SessionSenate
TO CREATE THE BELL TO BELL, NO CELL ACT; AND TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES WITH REGARD TO STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
Sponsored By: Tyler Dees (Republican), Jon S. Eubanks (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
State oversight and posted school device rules
Arkansas public districts and open-enrollment public charter schools must submit their device rules and exceptions for state review. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education approves or rejects them and sets rules for review and compliance monitoring. Schools must post their policies online before the first day of each school year so families can review them. When the division finds a school failed to adopt or enforce its policy, the school receives an accreditation violation citation.
Families bear risks for confiscated devices
Arkansas public districts and open-enrollment public charter schools are not liable for devices confiscated under their required device policies. This protection applies when a confiscated device is lost, stolen, or damaged. Families may have to pay for repairs or replacement.
School-day device limits with student exceptions
By the 2025-2026 school year, Arkansas public districts and open-enrollment public charter schools must adopt written student device rules and exceptions. These rules restrict possession and prohibit use during the school day, from required arrival until dismissal. They cover school property and school-related functions, and address after-school activities. Covered devices include phones, pagers, media players, game consoles, computers, cameras, recorders, smartwatches, and devices that transmit data through Bluetooth. Schools can set limits on communication times and locations and on camera, audio, and video recording. Exceptions cover required health uses, after-school extracurricular activities, emergencies, and school-issued devices. Emergencies include active fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, active shooters, school evacuations, and medical emergencies requiring immediate action. Schools cannot block use required by an Individualized Education Program, a Section 504 disability plan, or endorsed concurrent-enrollment coursework, including two-factor sign-in. Schools can also allow devices at special events during the school day, as defined by state education rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Tyler Dees
Republican • Senate
Jon S. Eubanks
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Breanne Davis
Republican • Senate
Blake Johnson
Republican • Senate
Brit McKenzie
Republican • House
Cindy Crawford
Republican • House
Hope Duke
Republican • House
Brian S. Evans
Republican • House
Scott Flippo
Republican • Senate
Ben Gilmore
Republican • Senate
Zack Gramlich
Republican • House
Brad Hall
Republican • House
Bart Hester
Republican • Senate
Missy Irvin
Republican • Senate
Justin Boyd
Republican • Senate
Jane English
Republican • Senate
Jim Petty
Republican • Senate
Kim Hammer
Republican • Senate
Robin Lundstrum
Republican • House
Mark Johnson
Republican • Senate
Matt McKee
Republican • Senate
Mindy McAlindon
Republican • House
Nick Burkes
Republican • House
Chad Puryear
Republican • House
Rebecca Burkes
Republican • House
Reginald Murdock
Democratic • Senate
R. Scott Richardson
Republican • House
Matt Stone
Republican • Senate
Randy Torres
Republican • House
Kendon Underwood
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, February 18, 2025 10:51:10 AM
Yes: 27 • No: 1 • Other: 4
House vote • 2/13/2025
House Vote - Thursday, February 13, 2025 2:27:33 PM
Yes: 97 • No: 1 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/4/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, February 4, 2025 2:32:21 PM
Yes: 28 • No: 1 • Other: 4
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB142 is now Act 122
2/24/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
2/18/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
2/18/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
2/18/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
2/18/2025SenateRules suspended.
2/18/2025SenateHouse Amendment No. 1 read first time, rule suspended, read second time and concurred in.
2/18/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
2/18/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass concur in House Amendment No. 1
2/17/2025SenateRe-referred to EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE
2/13/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed as amended # 1 .
2/13/2025SenateReturned to Senate as passed, as amended # 1
2/13/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
2/13/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
2/12/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
2/12/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
2/12/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 1
2/11/2025HouseRe-referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
2/10/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
2/6/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
2/4/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
2/4/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
2/4/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
2/4/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
2/3/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE
1/29/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB142 - Introduced
1/29/2025
Act Version
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