State Rep. Doug Wozniak yesterday voted in support of a bipartisan plan to limit cell phone use in classrooms, legislation aimed at restoring focus, strengthening learning environments, and supporting teachers across Michigan.

House Bill 4141 would require school boards and public school academies to implement a wireless communications device policy beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. For students in kindergarten through eighth grade, schools would prohibit device use during instructional time, between classes, lunch, and recess. For students in ninth through twelfth grade, device use would be prohibited during instructional time. Schools with multiple grade levels would follow the policy for the highest grade served, and districts would retain the authority to adopt additional restrictions.

“In recent years, students are getting smartphones at younger ages, and constant access to these devices has become a real distraction in the classroom,” said Wozniak (R-Shelby Township). “This plan helps put the focus back on learning while giving schools and parents reasonable flexibility.”

The legislation includes commonsense exemptions for medically necessary devices, district owned or district designated instructional devices, lesson specific academic use at a teacher’s discretion, special education programming including IEPs and 504 Plans, and limited emergency use that does not interfere with school safety protocols or first responders. Schools would also be required to outline enforcement procedures and post their policy publicly.

Wozniak noted that schools that have already implemented their own cell phone policies are seeing fewer discipline issues and stronger student engagement.

The bill now advances to the Michigan Senate for further consideration.