Bill banning the use of cellphones in Nebraska classrooms moves on to next stage

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska Legislature on Monday advanced a bill to ban the use of cellphones in public school classrooms.

Legislative Bill 140 would require school to adopt policies on the use of electronic communication devices by students.

Forty-four Nebraska senators voted to move the bill onto the next stage of debate.

Sen. Rita Sanders introduced this bill at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen and received plenty of support from Nebraska officials.

“Social media and cellphones in the hand of young people are fueling a mental health crisis in our state,” Attorney General Mike Hilgers said in January. “And it’s a difficult problem for a parent — and I speak from experience — to be able to attack and defend because it can be very hard when there is pressure from peers or from friends.”

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Sen. Robert Dover was present but did not vote. Sens. Robert Clements, Dunixi Guereca, Megan Hunt and Glen Meyer were not present.