Lawmakers debate school cellphone bans, return to work requirements
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A pair of Republican bills seeking to ban cellphones in classrooms and prohibit state employees from working remotely received public hearings Tuesday.
Lawmakers, parents, and state education officials testified on a proposal that would prohibit students from using cellphones, tablets, laptops, and other wireless devices during class time.
There would be some exceptions under the bill, according to bill authors Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton).
"It's time for Wisconsin to join a growing list of states that have taken steps to limit cellphone use and teach responsible technology use," Kitchens said during the Assembly Committee on Science, Technology and AI.
Under the bill, school districts would be required to adopt cellphone policies by July 1, 2026.
A survey by the Department of Public Instruction found 90% of public schools already have cellphone policies in place, which prompted Democrats on the committee to question the intent of the bill.
"The problem is already being dealt with," said Rep. Ben DeSmidt (D-Kenosha). "Why don't we trust local elected officials? Why are we challenging their authority and bringing confusion to this?"
Kitchens argued some districts are not enforcing cellphone policies.
"We are not mandating something [districts] don't want," said Kitchens. "This is about enforcement."
Other Democrats expressed concerns the proposal would take away local control by mandating schools to enact policies.
School boards would have the power to include exceptions to their policy "if the school board determines that doing so is beneficial for pupil education or well-being."
The measure is unlikely to gain support by Gov. Tony Evers, the former state superintendent that often rejects legislation that places mandates on schools. A spokesperson for Evers did not return messages to comment on the bill.
The Assembly will vote on the proposal next week.
Return to Work Requirement
Working remotely vs. in office was another issue lawmakers debated during the Senate Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs.
For over an hour, Republicans defended their proposal that would mandate state employees working remotely to return to the office full-time starting July 1.
It comes after an audit showed a majority of workstations at state agencies were not being used.
The analysis found "that a considerable number of employees did not regularly work in the office in early 2023."
"We'd like to get people back in the building so we can fully evaluate where productivity is better," said Rep. Amanda Nedweski, a co-author of the bill. "It's just all work from home because of covid, well covid is over."
The bill would not apply to workers involved in a telework agreement or workers in telework positions before the pandemic.
Democrats criticized the bill and expressed concerns it could hamper the workforce that's struggling with recruiting and retaining state employees.
"I think one of the things that we learned was remote work can work," said Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee).
On Thursday, members on the committee will vote by paper ballot to advance the bill.
Evers previously said he would reject return to work requirements for state workers, vowing to veto any state budget that includes banning remote work.