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HB 1055 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

School cell phone policy rulemaking

AI-generated

granting the state board of education rulemaking authority relative to student use of cell phones and personal communication devices in schools.

Authorizes the state board of education to adopt rules governing school board and charter school board policies on student cell phone and personal communication device use.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes the state board of education rulemaking authority to establish rules for the policies of school boards and charter school boards of trustees relative to cell phone and personal communication device usage in schools.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Brian NadeauR, Rep. Laurence MinerR

Public testimony

15 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

13% support87% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Local elected school boards are perfectly capable of instituting policies regarding cell phones in their districts. This is not appropriate for the State Board of Education to impose.”
— Sue Holstein, Bedfordopposes
“The House passed a cell phone ban in public schools last year and it has been implemented this school year.…”
— Toni Weinstein, Newmarketopposes
“This decision should be made by the districts and schools themselves.”
— Kimberly Porter, Concordopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1210:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-01-2210:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 4
  2. Jan 12, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/12/2026 11:00 am GP 232
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/22/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Jan 29, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/29/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 6 P. 3
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 2

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.