( KLFY ) — Gov. Jeff Landry recently signed Senate Bill 207 which bans students from having a cell phone on their person during school.

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, “no student shall possess, on his person, an electronic telecommunication device throughout the instructional day,” the law reads. “If a student brings an electronic telecommunication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during an instructional day, the electronic device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of the instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the instructional day.”

While some agree with the new law, residents like Toni Anderson say having a phone is necessary in today’s school environment.

“It is different times now,” Anderson said. “It was not frequent like it is today with the guns on campus. Yes, we did have some while we were in school, but it’s not as freaking as common as it is today.”

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The new law is intended to prevent distractions and to improve the learning experience. St. Martinsville Jr. High recently announced a reminder to students and parents prohibiting electronic devices on campus. Although her son is no longer in school, Anderson says she would make sure she could get in contact with her child directly in the case of emergencies.

“Like I’d rather for my kid to dial 911,” Anderson said, “If my kid was at that school, he will just face suspension because my child will not be without a cell phone.”

Anderson suggests a different approach to the issue rather than targeting student cell phones.

“Let’s come up with some stricter gun laws that’s come up with better security checks at these schools before you take their phones,” she said.

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