VirginiaHB19612025 Regular SessionHouse

Public elementary & secondary schools; bell-to-bell student cell phone & smart device possession.

Sponsored By: Sam Rasoul (Democratic)

To Governor

Summary

Public elementary and secondary schools; student cell phone possession and use policies; development and implementation. Directs each school board to develop and each public elementary and secondary school to implement policies relating to the possession and use of cell phones and smart devices by students on school property from bell to bell, as defined in the law, and requires such policies, among other things, to (i) restrict student cell phone and smart device possession and use on school property from bell to bell and (ii) permit any student, pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 Plan, individualized health care plan, or Limited English Proficiency plan, to possess and use a cell phone or smart device on school property, including in the classroom, from bell to bell to monitor or address a health concern or as an accommodation or assistive technology support. This bill is identical to SB 738.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sam Rasoul

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 371 • No: 85

House vote • 4/2/2025

House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote • 2/20/2025

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 75 • No: 22

Senate vote • 2/19/2025

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote • 2/17/2025

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Reported from Education and Health with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote • 2/4/2025

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 69 • No: 30

House vote • 1/29/2025

Reported from Education with substitute

Yes: 16 • No: 6

House vote • 1/28/2025

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 6 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote (40-Y 0-N)

    4/2/2025Senate
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0644)

    4/2/2025Governor
  3. Reenrolled bill text (HB1961ER2)

    4/2/2025House
  4. Reenrolled

    4/2/2025House
  5. Enacted, Chapter 644 (Effective 07/01/25)

    4/2/2025House
  6. Signed by President as reenrolled

    4/2/2025Senate
  7. Signed by Speaker as reenrolled

    4/2/2025House
  8. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/2/2025Governor
  9. House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote (96-Y 0-N)

    4/2/2025House
  10. Governor's recommendation received by House

    3/24/2025Governor
  11. Governor's substitute printed (HB1961H2)

    3/24/2025House
  12. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025

    3/11/2025Governor
  13. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025

    3/11/2025House
  14. Signed by President

    3/10/2025Senate
  15. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1961)

    3/7/2025House
  16. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1961ER)

    3/7/2025House
  17. Enrolled

    3/7/2025House
  18. Signed by Speaker

    3/7/2025House
  19. Senate substitute agreed to by House (75-Y 22-N)

    2/20/2025House
  20. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N)

    2/19/2025Senate
  21. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    2/19/2025Senate
  22. Education and Health Substitute agreed to

    2/19/2025Senate
  23. Read third time

    2/19/2025Senate
  24. Reading of substitute waived

    2/19/2025Senate
  25. Passed by for the day

    2/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

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