Lawmakers in  the Oklahoma House send a bill to the Governor's desk that requires school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day.

 

Bell to Bell, No Cell was originally introduced in the Oklahoma legislature as pilot legislation in 2025. The bill required Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus during the school day. Feedback from teachers, students and parents following the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive, prompting legislators to advance permanent legislation establishing the cell phone ban in state law.

 

The legislation also requires that any policy prohibiting cell phone use must also include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. The bill also allows local school districts flexibility in how they implement the policy.

 

Claremore Senator and senate author of the bill Ally Seifried stated: “Bell to Bell, No Cell has worked wonders in classrooms across Oklahoma. With fewer distractions from cellphones and social media, students are engaged and focused on their schoolwork again. Making this permanent is the right move for Oklahoma kids, and I look forward to seeing academic outcomes continue to improve the longer this policy is on the books.”