Georgia high school cellphone ban advances to next step at Capitol

Georgia Legislature

February 3rd, 2026

Scott Hilton sits behind a desk at a committee hearing — Georgia state Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Hilton is the lead sponsor on a bill to ban cellphones at public high schools in Georgia. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

ATLANTA — Legislation to ban cellphones in Georgia public high schools is advancing quickly, with a unanimous vote in favor at a first hearing Monday.

The school day ban outlined in House Bill 1009 would take effect in fall 2027, a year after a similar ban for kindergarten through middle school that lawmakers passed last year.

Although the mandatory lower grades ban does not go into effect until next fall, many schools, including some high schools, have voluntarily implemented it ahead of schedule.

“The early data shows us that the bill’s been life changing,” Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, said in an interview after a subcommittee passed his bill on for review by the House Education Committee. “Test scores are up, social interaction is up and fights are down. So it’s been a huge success, and we look forward to building on that success with nine through 12.”

Emory researcher testifies at Georgia high school cellphone ban hearing

The voluntary early implementation in some schools has given researchers such as Julie Gazmararian an opportunity to measure the impact.

The professor of epidemiology at Emory University was involved in a survey released last month that found 71% of responding Georgia parents wanted the K-8 cellphone ban extended to high schools.

The 29% of parents who opposed a high school ban were mostly concerned about being disconnected from their child during a school emergency, said the survey by the Rollins School of Public Health.

Other surveys have found similar support from teachers and even students.

Gazmararian testified in favor of HB 1009 Monday, telling lawmakers about consistent positive effects, such as reports of fewer disciplinary referrals.

Early data suggests reduced tardiness, too, she said in an interview after the hearing.

“We’re seeing in the cafeteria (that) kids are talking more to each other,” Gazmararian said. “And teachers feel like, in the classrooms, students are more engaged and less disruptive.”