Oklahoma Senate advances Seifried bill to restrict cellphones in schools from ‘bell to bell’ for one year

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Oklahoma Senate has successfully passed legislation from Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, to prohibit cellphones in schools from “bell to bell” for at least one full year.

In a 30 to 15 vote, the Senate passed Seifried’s Senate Bill 139, which requires public school districts to develop their own policies to limit student cellphone use for the full school day for the entire 2025-2026 school year.

Seifried amended her legislation on the floor to require districts to restrict cellphones for the upcoming school year while also granting school boards the flexibility to adjust their policies in future years. A previous version of the legislation would have required schools to adopt “bell to bell” policies in perpetuity.

Seifried said she’s confident “bell to bell” enforcement is the best option for public schools because it will keep teachers from having to police cellphone use throughout the day. She also said she’s optimistic that once schools see the advantages of going phone-free, they won’t want to go back.

“As a growing body of research confirms the harmful effects of student cellphone use on mental health and academic performance, the Oklahoma Senate has taken decisive action to put our children and teachers first,” Seifried said. “By taking this step toward creating distraction-free schools where kids stay immersed in their education, we are partnering with our districts to prioritize student well-being.

“Teachers already have more than enough responsibilities during the school day, and ‘bell to bell’ policies ensure they aren’t forced to waste valuable class time to crack down on cellphone usage. Keeping phones out of sight and out of mind for seven hours a day creates a more focused and productive atmosphere that’s better for students and teachers alike.

“I stand behind this legislation because I’m confident that once districts go phone-free for one year, students, parents and educators will see the undeniable benefits of a cellphone-free learning environment. Every child deserves to attend a school that supports their education and growth, free from the disruptions of constant texts and social media notifications, and I hope all Oklahoma districts embrace this opportunity to keep students focused and engaged throughout the school day.”

Seifried has spent the last two years working to improve education outcomes and eliminate classroom distractions by limiting cellphones in schools. She introduced SB 139 after co-hosting a wide-ranging interim study in the fall that highlighted the overwhelmingly negative effects of cellphone use in schools.

SB 139, coauthored by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, is now eligible for consideration in the House.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Seifried at (405) 521-5555 or Ally.Seifried@oksenate.gov