The Oklahoma House sent a bill to the Governor’s desk yesterday that requires school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day.

“Bell to Bell, No Cell” was originally introduced as pilot legislation in 2025, requiring Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus during the school day. Feedback from teachers, students and parents following the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive, prompting legislators to advance permanent legislation establishing the cell phone ban in state statute.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, emphasized that the policy, paired with strong literacy reforms passed this year, represents an important step forward for Oklahoma schools.