Pennsylvania students would be barred from using cellphones during the school day under legislation the state House approved last week.

House Bill 1814 was approved in a 126-75 vote. Lawmakers were divided on the issue, with members of both parties voting for and against the bill.

The state Senate approved a similar bill in February, raising the possibility that a final compromise bill could be included in a broader budget deal. Lawmakers returned to the Capitol Monday for the four-week sprint leading up to a June 30 budget deadline.

The legislation requires school boards to enact policies banning cellphone use but allows local officials to determine what sanctions students will face if they violate the ban.

Multiple lawmakers said they would prefer local officials have the authority to decide whether to impose a ban at all, rather than requiring one statewide.

“The question is, who should be making the decision in each of the school districts. Is it the governor sitting in the Capitol? Or school board members who live in the community?” asked Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, in comments before the vote.

Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny, who voted against the bill over concerns about having a statewide ban, said she recognizes that cellphone use can be distracting.

“I’m not advocating for kids to be scrolling the Internet when they should be learning,” she said. “Kids can’t scroll TikTok and learn algebra.”

Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, said that as lawmakers were debating the bill, he glanced around the House chambers and saw many of his peers with their faces buried in their phones.

“If we as adults can’t pay attention here, how do we expect children to pay attention in school?” he asked.

Supporters said the state needs to establish uniform rules.

“A clear, statewide standard is needed to ensure that learning environments remain focused and free from unnecessary interruptions,” the bill’s prime sponsor Rep. Mindy Steele, D-Allegheny, said in a statement.

Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, however, said her memories of the 9/11 attacks and accounts from parents of children who attended schools targeted in mass shootings, convinced her that a cellphone ban would be misguided.

“I want those kids to be able to call their parents for help or just to say goodbye,” she said.

A closer look

Exceptions to cellphone ban:

Students who have a medical condition that requires them to use a cellphone

Students who have an individualized education program plan that relies on using a cellphone

Students who are English-language learners who use a cellphone for translation

Students who have permission from a teacher to use a cellphone for educational purposes during instructional time

Cases where a teacher determines school-issued technology is insufficient or unavailable

Temporary situations where the principal determines cellphones are appropriate for instructional purposes.