HB 13 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires LEAs and public charter schools to adopt a policy to prohibit students from using wireless communication devices during instructional time except in certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 49.

HB 13, introduced in Tennessee for the 2025 legislative session, requires all public school districts and charter schools to create and publish policies banning student use of wireless devices (like phones, tablets, or laptops) during instructional time. Exceptions include teacher-approved educational use, emergencies, health management, or if a student’s special education plan (IEP) or 504 plan permits it. Schools must also allow teachers to temporarily confiscate devices for policy violations. The bill was withdrawn before passing and never took effect.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Feb 3, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to Education Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Scott Cepicky
Scott Cepicky
RRepublican
TN
64