North Carolina Sen. Barnes wireless device regulation bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Sen. Lisa S. Barnes aims to regulate the use of wireless communication devices by students during instructional time in public schools across North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

In the House, 41 Democrats and 69 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while eight Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 14 Democrats and 27 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while one Republican voted against it.

Barnes filed the bill in the North Carolina Senate on Feb. 5 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as SB 55, was passed on July 29 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates public school units in North Carolina to establish regulations on student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. The policy requires prohibition of device usage, display, or activation unless authorized for educational purposes, emergencies, to fulfill requirements of a student’s individualized education program, or to manage a documented medical condition. School governing bodies must implement consequences for policy violations, which may include device confiscation or other disciplinary actions. Each public school unit must submit its policy to the Department of Public Instruction by September 1 of the effective year, and update it when changed. The Department is obligated to report compliance to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee annually by Oct. 1. This legislation takes effect when enacted, applying from the 2025-26 school year.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Michael V. Lee (Republican-7th District), Sen. Jim Burgin (Republican-12th District), and Sen. Lisa S. Barnes (Republican-11th District).

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Barnes graduated from Peace College with an AA and again in 1988 from North Carolina State University with a BA.

Barnes, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 11th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Rick Horner.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.