School cell phone ban, Freedom to Read Act pass RI senate, head to house

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Changes could be coming to your child’s classroom as the state senate has moved to curb distractions in school and limit cell phones and electronics.

The cell phone ban would require each public school to create its own policy on cell phone use in class and during activities like field trips.

There would be exemptions for circumstances like assistive technology use or other special needs.

The bill still needs to be passed in the house before it heads to governor Dan McKee’s desk.

If signed into law, the act would take effect on August 1, 2026.

The senate also passed the Freedom to Read Act, which lawmakers said will protect libraries and students from book bans and censorship.

In a statement, the bill’s author, Senator Mark McKenney said that while parents can choose what their kids read, he said, “What we can’t do is decide what everyone else gets to read or what other people’s children get to read or not read.”

That bill now heads to the house.