R.I. Senate Bill 2011-0764: Cell Phones In School

The attached document is Rhode Island Senate Bill 2011-0764, sponsored by Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Smithfield, No. Smithfield), that would prohibit all cell phone use by students during school hours.

Tassoni's bill would also impose penalties for students who violate the policy, including loss of cell phone privileges for the remainder of the school year for a fourth violation. School administrators would have the authority to confiscate cell phones and notify parents and guardians of the student's violation of the policy.

Tassoni, who chairs the Special Senate Commission on Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats, mentioned bill 0764 during a recent visit to Ferri Middle School as one of five proposed by the commission to combat bullying in schools.