The Alabama Senate passed a bill that would put restrictions on cellphone use in the state’s public schools.

The Senate passed SB92 on Thursday and the House passed a concurrent bill, HB166 on April 3. The Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety Act would repeal a previous law that allowed students to carry pocket pagers, cellular telephones and other electronic communication devices on school property.

The FOCUS Act prevents students from using, operating or possessing an electronic communications device while on school property during the instructional day. The cellphone ban is subject to exceptions allowed by the act as well as subject to written policies adopted by local boards of education to implement the act.

According to the bill, students must turn off electronic communication devices during instructional hours on school property. The student also must store the phone in a “locker, backpack, car or similar storage location.”

Students are allowed to use cellphones in certain conditions, including an Individualized Education Program or Individualized Health Plan, under the supervision of local board of education personnel and during emergencies.

If the bill passes, local boards of education are required to adopt a wireless communications device and an internet safety policy by July 1. The state board of education would be required to develop and approve a digitally delivered course on the risks of using social media and social media safety by July 1. This social media education course would be made available to all public school districts and each local board of education would be required to deliver the course to all students prior to entering the eighth grade.

The House will consider the Senate bill and vice versa. Whichever bill passes the secondary chamber first will be sent to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for approval.