H.54

An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Sponsors: Rep. Angela Arsenault , Rep. Matthew Birong, Rep. Doug Bishop, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michael Boutin, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Thomas Burditt, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Bridget Burkhardt, Rep. Gregory Burtt, Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Rep. Ela Chapin, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Voranus Coffin, Rep. Allen "Penny" Demar, Rep. Joshua Dobrovich, Rep. Leonora Dodge, Rep. Abbey Duke, Rep. Gina Galfetti, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep. Kenneth Goslant, Rep. Edye Graning, Rep. James Harrison, Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Philip "Jay" Hooper, Rep. Robert Hunter, Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Rep. Larry Labor, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Patricia McCoy, Rep. Brian Minier, Rep. Christopher Morrow, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Michael Nigro, Rep. Robert North, Rep. Kate Nugent, Rep. Thomas Oliver, Rep. Gayle Pezzo, Rep. Phil Pouech, Rep. Monique Priestley, Rep. Christopher Pritchard, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Dara Torre, Rep. Chea Waters Evans, Rep. Candice White, Rep. Kevin Winter

Location: House Committee on Education

Last Recorded Action: 1/22/2025 - Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education

Committee Activity - Meeting Full List

Regular Session 2025-2026

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Education

9:10 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Introduction and walk-through

Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor, Chittenden-2
Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Education

10:15 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Testimony from students and advocates

Elijah Renner, Student, Thetford Academy
David Thaxton, Student, Thetford Academy
Oliver Ranson, Student, Thetford Academy
Eliza Knowlten-Young, Student, Thetford Academy
Ulysses Junker, Student, Thetford Academy
Rebecca Yukica, Pediatrician, Bradford and East Thetford
Robin Osborne, Clinical Psychologist, East Thetford
Rima Carlson, Family Physician, Montpelier
Laura Derrendinger, Advocate, Middletown Springs, Vermont
Benjamin Clark, Member, Harwood Unified Union School District Board, Teacher, Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Education

2:50 PM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Mike McRaith, Associate Executive Director, Vermont Principals' Association

Friday, April 18, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Education

11:00 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Testimony from Harwood Union High School students and principal

Meg McDonough, Principal, Harwood Union High School
Ellie Buckingham, Student, Harwood Union High School
Celia Wing, Student, Harwood Union High School
Liza Earle-Centers, Local Parent Advocate, Vermont Coalition of Phone and Social Media-Free Schools

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Education

9:19 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Walk-through and committee discussion

Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

10:00 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Harris Strokoff, Psychiatrist and Medical Director, NCSS, Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Green State Psychiatry

11:30 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Testimony on cell phone use during emergencies

Sunni Eriksen, School Safety Program Manager, Vermont School Safety Center

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Education

10:00 AM

H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools

Mark-up and committee discussion

Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Jay Nichols, Executive Director, Vermont Principals' Association
Stephanie Winters, Deputy Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society
Sue Ceglowski, Executive Director, Vermont School Boards Association