Seifried Celebrates ‘Bell to Bell’ Cellphone Prohibition in Schools Becoming Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, today celebrated the governor signing her bill to limit cellphones in schools for a full school year.

Stitt signed Seifried’s Senate Bill 139, which requires public school districts to limit student cellphone use from “bell to bell” for the entire 2025-2026 school year. In the following years, districts will have the flexibility to adjust their cellphone policies as they see fit.

“Starting this fall, every Oklahoma student will have a distraction-free learning environment from the first bell of the day to the last,” Seifried said. “This will allow teachers to focus entirely on educating our kids while students can concentrate on learning as much as possible. After two years of hard work on this issue, I’m thrilled to see this legislation become law, and I’m confident students, parents and teachers will see immediate benefits once the new school year begins."

Under SB 139, district cellphone policies must make exceptions for students who need their phones to manage a medical condition and allow phone use in emergencies. Additionally, districts must clearly outline disciplinary actions for students who violate a school's phone-free policy.

SB 139 was coauthored by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid.

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