Hey all,

We have three days left.

The Senate has passed a budget, which means they now have time to take up other bills. This one needs to be among them.

It’s hard to believe this is not a top priority, but as of Friday, HB5035 was at the very end of the list of bills to be discussed before the legislative session ends on Wednesday. That needs to change.

With everything we know about the impact of cell phones in schools, and with states across the country already acting, Connecticut should not be lagging behind on something this basic.

The most effective thing you can do right now is email and call your state senator and tell them this matters. Even if you’ve already sent an email, send another one. Ask them to bring this bill to a vote and support it.

Don’t underestimate the impact of your email. If everyone here reaches out and asks one other person to do the same, that’s hundreds of constituents speaking up. That’s hard to ignore.

Use your own words or the template below. Even one or two personal sentences makes a difference.

We are close, but this is the moment. If we don’t push now, this will run out of time, and we’ll be back at square one when the next session starts in January. How boring.

We can do this! But we need to keep going, it’s not over yet.

Cheers,

Regina

RE: Cell Phones Must Go – Please Call and Support HB 5035

Dear Senator [Name],

With just days left in the session, now is the time to remove cell phones from Connecticut schools. Our students cannot afford to wait.

HB 5035 passed with bipartisan support in the House, and the Senate can and should follow.

I hope I can count on you to urge Senate leadership to call HB 5035 to the floor for a vote.

Educators across the state overwhelmingly report that constant phone access is hurting student focus, learning, and social interaction. Individual districts have struggled to enforce policies without a clear statewide standard.

This bill brings Connecticut up to speed with much of the rest of the country and gives our students the gift of a distraction free school day.

Few policy changes in education cost this little and have the potential to improve student wellbeing, mental health and learning conditions so significantly.

Please call and support HB 5035 and do not let this bill run out of time.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Town]

Find Your Senator https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp