Oklahoma – Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a new law establishing a permanent statewide “Bell to Bell, No Cell” policy aimed at removing student cell phone use from Oklahoma classrooms during the school day.
The legislation requires school districts across Oklahoma to adopt policies that prohibit student cell phone use on campus throughout the school day, with limited exceptions for emergencies and documented medical needs.
Governor Stitt said the measure fulfills a goal he has promoted since 2024, when he encouraged schools to adopt phone-free policies to reduce distractions and improve student focus.
“In 2024, I challenged every school in Oklahoma to go phone-free so our kids could put their focus back in their studies instead of on their screens,” Stitt said. “Today, we’re making that vision permanent in state law.”
The law follows a prior effort through Executive Order 2024-26, which encouraged school districts to voluntarily implement phone-free campus policies. Stitt later called for the Legislature to expand those efforts statewide during his 2025 State of the State address.
The governor said the policy is part of broader efforts to raise academic standards and improve student outcomes across Oklahoma, arguing that distraction-free classrooms help support learning and development.
Supporters of the legislation, including Senators Ally Seifried and Michael Bergstrom and Representatives Chad Caldwell and Anthony Moore, said the policy has already shown positive effects in classrooms.
Sen. Seifried said the measure has helped reduce distractions and bullying while encouraging students to develop stronger in-person social skills.
The new law makes the “Bell to Bell, No Cell” policy permanent statewide, requiring all Oklahoma school districts to comply moving forward.
