MARQUETTE - The Anxious Generation Movement, Smartphone Free Childhood US, Institute for Families and Technology and Becca Schmill Foundation, all Leading child safety and well-being organizations,have announced that Michigan’s new law received a “C” grade on their national Phone-Free Schools State Report Card.

House Bill 4141, sponsored by state Rep. Mark Tisdel and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, requires school districts to adopt policies limiting the use of personal electronic devices by students during class instructional time only. Michigan previously received an “Incomplete” in the initial Phone-Free Schools State Report Card published earlier this year as legislative action on H.B. 4141 was pending.

“We want to commend state Rep. Mark Tisdel and state Sen. Dayna Polehanki for their leadership in passing this initial legislation,” said Emily Rapp, director of public policy for the Institute of Families and Technology. “However, we hope Michigan lawmakers look to neighboring Indiana as the model for requiring devices be inaccessible to students for the entire school day, not just during instructional time, for them to reap the full benefits of a truly phone-free education.”

“Every student in Michigan deserves a school environment free from the distractions of personal electronic devices and social media throughout the entire school day. We encourage lawmakers to strengthen the law to require bell-to-bell policies statewide,” said Deb Schmill, founder and president of the Becca Schmill Foundation.

Under the Report Card’s criteria, an “A” grade is awarded when legislation requires all personal electronic devices to be stored in secure, inaccessible locations throughout the entire school day, or from “bell-to-bell.”  Bell-to-bell policies are proven to enhance academic performance, improve students’ mental and physical health, increase teacher satisfaction, protect student safety and privacy and deepen school community relationships.