VirginiaSB7382025 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: Stella G. Pekarsky (Democratic)

Failed

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 HB 1961.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stella G. Pekarsky

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 412 • No: 138

House vote • 4/2/2025

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 91 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/21/2025

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

House vote • 2/21/2025

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 73 • No: 23

Senate vote • 2/17/2025

Senate acceded to request

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

House substitute rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 37

House vote • 2/10/2025

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 67 • No: 28

House vote • 2/5/2025

Reported from Education with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 6

Senate vote • 1/28/2025

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote • 1/24/2025

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/23/2025

Reported from Education and Health with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

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

    4/2/2025Senate
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0606)

    4/2/2025Governor
  3. Enacted, Chapter 606 (Effective 07/01/2025)

    4/2/2025House
  4. Signed by Speaker as reenrolled

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

    4/2/2025Senate
  6. Reenrolled bill text (SB738ER2)

    4/2/2025Senate
  7. Reenrolled

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

    4/2/2025Governor
  9. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (91-Y 2-N)

    4/2/2025House
  10. Governor's substitute printed (SB738S3)

    3/24/2025Senate
  11. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

    3/24/2025Governor
  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

    3/11/2025Senate
  14. Signed by President

    3/10/2025Senate
  15. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB738)

    3/7/2025Senate
  16. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB738ER)

    3/7/2025Senate
  17. Enrolled

    3/7/2025Senate
  18. Signed by Speaker

    3/7/2025House
  19. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N)

    2/21/2025Senate
  20. Conference report agreed to by House (73-Y 23-N)

    2/21/2025House
  21. Conference substitute printed 25107823D-S2

    2/20/2025Senate
  22. Amended by conference committee

    2/20/2025
  23. Delegates: Rasoul, Cousins, Green

    2/18/2025House
  24. Conferees appointed by House

    2/18/2025House
  25. Senate acceded to request (39-Y 0-N)

    2/17/2025Senate

Bill Text

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