FOCUS Act gains bipartisan momentum as concerns over student distraction and safety rise
SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
With just three days remaining in Alabama’s 2025 legislative session, Gov. Kay Ivey is calling on lawmakers to pass her top priorities: a statewide ban on student cell phone use in schools and a slate of public safety measures.
Speaking Monday at the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber luncheon, Ivey pressed for swift approval of the FOCUS Act—short or Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens forcSafety—which would ban the use of cell phones and similar devices during instructional time incall K-12 public schools.
“According to a recent survey, 72% of high school teachers nationwide say cell phones are distracting students,” Ivey said. “We adults are guilty of it, too—but in the classroom, our students’ learning environment must come first.”
The FOCUS Act, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) and Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena), would also require school districts to adopt internet safety policies and mandate social media education for students by eighth grade. Starting with the 2026–27 school year, students would be required to keep phones, tablets, gaming devices, and laptops turned off and stored in lockers, backpacks, or vehicles during the school day.
Exceptions would be allowed for students with medical or educational accommodations under an Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, or similar health plan. Devices could also beused during emergencies or when expressly permitted by a teacher for instructional use.
Although introduced by Republicans, the bill has drawn bipartisan attention and support.Democratic Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), one of the Legislature’s leading Black lawmakers, raised key concerns during debate over the measure. Drummond questioned how
students would contact their parents during school emergencies and emphasized the need to ensure that safety protocols are in place before limiting phone access.
Gov. Ivey acknowledged the cross-party discussions and expressed optimism: “This should be a widely supported bipartisan measure. I urge lawmakers to bring it to the floor and send it to my desk so I can sign it.”
Public Safety Also a Top Priority
In addition to education reform, Ivey spotlighted progress on public safety legislation, crediting Huntsville Sen. Sam Givhan, vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, for helping guide key bills.
“Bolstering public safety is my number one priority this session,” Ivey said. “We’re moving forward with bills designed to reduce violent crime and give law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.”
Ivey has already signed several pieces of legislation, including a ban on illegal Glock switches and the Officer Impersonation Act. On Monday, she signed Senate Bill 119, which broadens firearm restrictions for individuals charged with certain crimes.
“These laws will help keep more dangerous individuals off our streets,” she said. “And I’m
confident more are on the way.”