Bismarck — The North Dakota Senate on Monday passed Engrossed House Bill 11‑60, a bill to add a new section to chapter 15.1‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code restricting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time.

Sponsor Senator Shelly Axman, the bill’s carrier on the floor, said the measure establishes a statewide “bell‑to‑bell” policy intended to reduce classroom disruptions, improve mental health outcomes and raise test scores. “Many of those who have the local control are asking for our help,” Axman said, noting the bill was drafted with input from the North Dakota School Boards Association.

The bill’s backers said it preserves local discretion on implementation and on what counts as school‑related activities. Senator Castaneda, who said his children’s school implemented a similar policy, described rapid staff and student acceptance and credited it with improved concentration among students. “Within a week…everybody was on board and moving forward,” Castaneda said. Supporters also argued the policy could help teacher retention by reducing the classroom burden on teachers.

Opponents focused on local control. Senator Engott said she voted no because she trusts local school boards to set this policy for their districts. Senator Thomas said the state’s varied districts need flexibility to tailor implementation to local conditions and reiterated his intention to vote no for that reason.

Senator Axman responded that the bill allows a “high level of flexibility” in how districts implement the policy across grade levels and school sizes, and that the School Boards Association participated in drafting so the law would be executable statewide.

The Senate voted 42 ayes, 4 nays, 1 absent/not voting on final passage. The bill had been the subject of an earlier successful motion to reconsider after Senator Axman said she was absent for the prior vote and requested reconsideration so she could present additional information.

The bill’s engrossed title states it creates a new section to chapter 15.1‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The Senate record shows the measure advanced with Senate amendments.

Votes at the key stages were recorded electronically by the secretary; the final tally on passage was 42 ayes, 4 nays, 1 absent/not voting. The bill will proceed to the next steps in the legislative process provided by statute.

Senator Shelly Axman (carrier) and other senators said the law maintains local implementation flexibility while establishing statewide minimums intended to reduce classroom distractions.

Looking ahead: The bill’s statutory language refers to local implementation choices; school districts will be responsible for how they operationalize the restriction within the new statutory framework.