COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine spoke Tuesday morning to offer support for a bill that would ban cellphones in schools throughout the state.

DeWine was joined at the Ohio Statehouse by State Senators Jane Timken (R-Stark County) and Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), former Second Lady of Ohio Tina Husted, and Dr. John Marschhuasen, Dublin City School District superintendent to discuss support of the bill.

“In last year’s State of the State, I talked about the need to take action in this area,” DeWine said. “We need to be sure that our classrooms are now cellphone free.”

“Studies consistently show that access to cellphones during school hours negatively impact student learning and academic performance,” DeWine said. “Furthermore, these phones can be incredibly harmful to the students’ mental and emotional health. They expose our kids to things like cyberbullying, sextortion (and) both of these factors increase the risk of suicide among our children.”

It is Timken’s legislation, Senate Bill 158, that calls for the banning of phones during the school day in Ohio while focusing on enhanced student engagement and safety by prohibiting the use of cellphones. The bill would also introduce disciplinary measures for students who violate the ban.

“This legislation is a commonsense approach to unplug our children, from the constant distraction that they have in the classroom,” said Timken, who noted that, on average, a child can receive nearly 200 notifications per day.

It is expected the bill, which Timken said will include a few exceptions when it comes to facilitating learning, will be presented in the Senate’s Education Committee and it is believed the standalone bill will move through the Ohio legislature.

One year ago, DeWine called for a new law banning phones. House Bill 485 called for phones to be banned in schools, except for in an emergency, medical situation, or instructional purposes, but he received pushback for its sweeping guidelines.

The bill uses similar language in DeWine’s executive budget proposal in which he introduced the banning of phones in schools. A new Ohio law was enacted in 2024 that required school districts to implement policies to address the use of phones in schools, and many districts followed by banning their use. Many districts have already noted improvement in student engagement, attendance, grades, socialization, and communication, the Governor’s office said.

Marschhuasen also noted that phones will not be allocated to students during emergencies, such as an active shooter.

“I understand there’s fear, and our goal will be to get students safely back to parents as soon as possible, but individual students having a cellphone isn’t part of any of those plans,” he said.

When asked why, Marschhuasen quickly noted, “Because it clogs and slows the process. In any situation if students are given directions on where to go, them looking at their phones, it only slows what we’re trying to do, what we’ve practiced when it comes to evacuating, when it comes to lockdown, when it comes to shelter in place. Whatever those plans are, students need to be paying attention.”

Local parents said they understand both sides of this issue. Proponents of a total cell phone ban said phones are not necessary for students to have during the school day. “I think it’s a good idea if they can concentrate on the lessons a bit more then that’s a good idea. We didn’t have them in school and we did okay.” said Marty Trese.

Other parents said they like knowing their child has access to their phone, especially in emergency situations involving health and safety. “I think they probably should have access in case of an emergency, but during the day maybe take them and not be able to use them,” said Sarah Anastasi.

Steven Friend is a father of two teenagers. His son has diabetes and is able to track and regulate his blood sugar through an app. His parents can also access that app at any time during the school day. “Without his phone being with him at school, like I can’t see any of this stuff. We’re pretty much out of the loop on his health. And that’s why things like this, like these kinds of things can’t go in schools,” said Friend.

The bill does have exceptions to the ban for monitoring or addressing health concerns. But Friend said even if his son is allowed to keep his phone for medical reasons, he’d still like to communicate with his other child while she is at school.

“I’ve had to text my kids while they were in lockdown just to make sure everything is okay. So that part of it is, you know, I’d love to be able to chat with my kid anytime during the day and make sure they’re healthy and everything’s okay,” said Friend.

On the other side, parent Natalie Brown said emergencies are rare, and if there is an emergency, the school will communicate with parents. “As a parent, I totally understand if something comes up and you need to get in touch with your child. But I think you can just call the school and I think the risks of sending your child to school with a phone far outweigh the benefits,” said Brown.

Most parents said they would be in support for some kind of cell phone ban but they want exceptions. Parents said they want their kids to have better learning experiences, but being able to contact their child gives them peace of mind.

At the news conference, Husted discussed strategies parents can use to be more aware of what their children are doing on their phones, including having regular and open conversations with their children about the dangers they may face online so they know what to do and who to turn to if they feel unsafe.

She has previously supported Braden’s Law, signed by DeWine in January, which makes sexual extortion a felony offense in Ohio. That law is slated to go into effect Wednesday.