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Virginia · 2025 Regular Session · Bill

HB 1961: Public elementary & secondary schools; bell-to-bell student cell phone & smart device possession.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 1961 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 6, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Public elementary & secondary schools; bell-to-bell student cell phone & smart device possession. Primary sponsor: Sam Rasoul (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (April 2, 2025): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0644).

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Public elementary and secondary schools; student cell phone possession and use policies; development and implementation. Directs each school board to develop and each public elementary and secondary school to implement policies relating to the possession and use of cell phones and smart devices by students on school property from bell to bell, as defined in the law, and requires such policies, among other things, to (i) restrict student cell phone and smart device possession and use on school property from bell to bell and (ii) permit any student, pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 Plan, individualized health care plan, or Limited English Proficiency plan, to possess and use a cell phone or smart device on school property, including in the classroom, from bell to bell to monitor or address a health concern or as an accommodation or assistive technology support. This bill is identical to SB 738.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Sam RasoulPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse38
Dan HelmerCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse10

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0644)
  2. Enacted, Chapter 644 (Effective 07/01/25)
  3. Signed by President as reenrolled
  4. Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
  5. Reenrolled bill text (HB1961ER2)
  6. Reenrolled
  7. Governor's recommendation adopted
  8. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (40-Y 0-N)
  9. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (96-Y 0-N)
  10. Governor's substitute printed (HB1961H2)
  11. Governor's recommendation received by House
  12. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source