2025-2026 Session
Change SessionH.54
An act relating to cell phone-free schools
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 IV, 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
House Committee on Education
1/22/2025 - Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education
- Sponsor(s)
-
- Rep. Angela Arsenault
- Additional Sponsors
- 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 IV
- 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
- Less…
- Location
- House Committee on Education
- Last Recorded Action
- House 1/22/2025 - Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education
Bill/Resolution Text
NOTE: to print information that appears on a tab within the bill page, use the Print link on that tab.
An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Detailed Status
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Body | Date | Journal | Calendar | Location | Full Status |
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An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Roll Call History
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Body | Date | Journal | Location | Full Status |
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Although procedurally bills and resolutions are assigned to only one committee at a time, other committees may review the bill or resolution. This page contains results from both the assigned committee as well as other committees.
An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Committee Meetings
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Meeting Date | Committee |
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An act relating to cell phone-free schools
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
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Education
- 2:20 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Student testimony
Braeden Schuren Burns, Student, Main Street Middle School
Atticus Lawler, Student, U-32 Middle School
Isla Segal, Student, Woodstock Union Middle School
- 3:00 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Testimony from the Connecticut State Board of Education
Erin Benham, Vice Chair, Connecticut State Board of Education
Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Education
- 9:00 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Kate Mobley, Dean of Enrollment and Community Relations, Community College of Vermont
Wilson Garland, Chief Information Officer, Vermont State Colleges System
- 9:30 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Walk-through and mark-up of new draft
Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 10:25 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Testimony on district use of digital communications platforms
Meghan Baule, Director of Communications, Colchester School District
- 2:30 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Student testimony
Alex Young-Springer, Student, Hunt Middle School
Friday, May 2, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Education
- 1:00 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Testimony from the Vermont Superintendents Association
Ryan Heraty, Superintendent, Lamoille South Supervisory Union
- 2:00 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Student testimony
Manny Van Fleet, Student, U-32 Middle School
Eddie McGrath, Student, Montpelier High School
Brann Boccia-Cole, Student, U-32 Middle School
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Education
- 10:20 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Mark-up
Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 11:06 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Student testimony
Maggie Prong, Student, Colchester High School
Dylan Neely, Student, Colchester High School
Eliza Severin, Student, Colchester High School
- 11:30 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Testimony defining social media
Laura Marquez-Garrett, Attorney, Social Media Victims Law Center
- 2:15 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Oliver Olsen, Representative, Vermont Independent Schools Association
Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Education
- 9:00 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Jill Briggs Campbell, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Education
Lisa Helme, Assistant Director of Student Pathways, Agency of Education
Lindsey Hedges, Interim Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Agency of Education
- 9:45 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
Colin Robinson, Political Director, Vermont National Education Association
- 3:40 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Committee discussion on next steps
Friday, May 9, 2025
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Education
- 10:45 AM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Mark-up of draft 4.1
Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 3:00 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Walk-through of changes in draft 5.1
Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Education
- 1:50 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Introduction and walk-through
Rep. Peter Conlon, Chair, House Committee on Education
Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 3:00 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Mike McRaith, Associate Executive Director, Vermont Principals' Association
Harris Strokoff, Psychiatrist and Medical Director, NCSS, Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Green State Psychiatry
Benjamin Clark, Teacher, Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School
Sue Ceglowski, Executive Director, Vermont School Boards Association
Colin Robinson, Political Director, Vermont National Education Association
Ryan Heraty, Superintendent, Lamoille South Supervisory Union
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Education
- 2:25 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Oliver Olsen, Representative, Vermont Independent Schools Association
Liza Earle-Centers, Local Parent Advocate, Vermont Coalition of Phone and Social Media-Free Schools
- 3:50 PM
-
H.54 - An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Committee Discussion
Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor
Committee Documents
An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Witnesses Who Testified
Regular Session 2025-2026
House Committee on Education
- Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor
- Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor, Chittenden-2
- Meghan Baule, Director of Communications, Colchester School District
- Erin Benham, Vice Chair, Connecticut State Board of Education
- Brann Boccia-Cole, Student, U-32 Middle School
- Jill Briggs Campbell, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Education
- Ellie Buckingham, Student, Harwood Union High School
- Rima Carlson, Family Physician, Montpelier
- Sue Ceglowski, Executive Director, Vermont School Boards Association
- Benjamin Clark, Member, Harwood Unified Union School District Board, Teacher, Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School
- Laura Derrendinger, Advocate, Middletown Springs, Vermont
- Liza Earle-Centers, Local Parent Advocate, Vermont Coalition of Phone and Social Media-Free Schools
- Sunni Eriksen, School Safety Program Manager, Vermont School Safety Center
- Wilson Garland, Chief Information Officer, Vermont State Colleges System
- Lindsey Hedges, Interim Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Agency of Education
- Lisa Helme, Assistant Director of Student Pathways, Agency of Education
- Ryan Heraty, Superintendent, Lamoille South Supervisory Union
- Ulysses Junker, Student, Thetford Academy
- Eliza Knowlten-Young, Student, Thetford Academy
- Atticus Lawler, Student, U-32 Middle School
- Laura Marquez-Garrett, Attorney, Social Media Victims Law Center
- Meg McDonough, Principal, Harwood Union High School
- Eddie McGrath, Student, Montpelier High School
- Mike McRaith, Associate Executive Director, Vermont Principals' Association
- Kate Mobley, Dean of Enrollment and Community Relations, Community College of Vermont
- Dylan Neely, Student, Colchester High School
- Jay Nichols, Executive Director, Vermont Principals' Association
- Oliver Olsen, Representative, Vermont Independent Schools Association
- Robin Osborne, Clinical Psychologist, East Thetford
- Maggie Prong, Student, Colchester High School
- Oliver Ranson, Student, Thetford Academy
- Elijah Renner, Student, Thetford Academy
- Colin Robinson, Political Director, Vermont National Education Association
- Braeden Schuren Burns, Student, Main Street Middle School
- Isla Segal, Student, Woodstock Union Middle School
- Eliza Severin, Student, Colchester High School
- Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Harris Strokoff, Psychiatrist and Medical Director, NCSS, Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Green State Psychiatry
- David Thaxton, Student, Thetford Academy
- Manny Van Fleet, Student, U-32 Middle School
- Celia Wing, Student, Harwood Union High School
- Stephanie Winters, Deputy Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society
- Alex Young-Springer, Student, Hunt Middle School
- Rebecca Yukica, Pediatrician, Bradford and East Thetford
Senate Committee on Education
- Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor
- Sue Ceglowski, Executive Director, Vermont School Boards Association
- Benjamin Clark, Teacher, Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School
- Rep. Peter Conlon, Chair, House Committee on Education
- Liza Earle-Centers, Local Parent Advocate, Vermont Coalition of Phone and Social Media-Free Schools
- Ryan Heraty, Superintendent, Lamoille South Supervisory Union
- Mike McRaith, Associate Executive Director, Vermont Principals' Association
- Oliver Olsen, Representative, Vermont Independent Schools Association
- Colin Robinson, Political Director, Vermont National Education Association
- Beth St. James, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Harris Strokoff, Psychiatrist and Medical Director, NCSS, Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Green State Psychiatry
Fiscal notes and materials available on this web page are provided for informational purposes only, and may not comprise all materials received by the Vermont Legislature or the final fiscal information related to a specific bill. The Legislature is not responsible for the accuracy of any information in these materials, and their posting does not constitute approval or endorsement by the Legislature.
No fiscal documents found for H.54 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
No committee of conference members found for H.54 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
An act relating to cell phone-free schools
Committee of Conference Meetings
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Meeting Date | Committee |
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