Rep. Eddins files bill in North Carolina House to restrict student cell phone use

A new bill filed by State Rep. Blair Eddins in the North Carolina House seeks to reduce classroom distractions by mandating cell phone-free policies in public schools, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 87 on Feb. 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Cell Phone-Free Education.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that governing bodies of public school units in North Carolina develop and implement a cell phone-free education policy, which will either eliminate or significantly restrict student access to cell phones during instructional time. It requires these bodies to inform parents of the adopted policy at the start of each school year. The intent appears to be to minimize distractions in the classroom, promoting a more focused educational environment. The act will take effect upon becoming law and is set to apply starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Brian Biggs proposed the most bills (five) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Eddins graduated from North Carolina State University in 1995.

Eddins, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 94th House district, replacing previous state representative Jeffrey Elmore.