House Media

Today the Oklahoma House sent a bill to the Governor's desk that requires school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day. “Bell to Bell, No Cell” was originally introduced as pilot legislation in 2025, requiring Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus during the school day. Feedback from teachers, students and parents following the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive, prompting legislators to advance permanent legislation establishing the cell phone ban in state statute. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, emphasized that the policy, paired with strong literacy reforms passed this year, represents an important step forward for Oklahoma schools. “This legislation is one of the most meaningful bills written during my time in the House,” said Hilbert. “I’ve heard from both parents and teachers who are grateful for this reform. Hallways are loud again, students are playing Uno at lunch, and they’re actually interacting with one another. This legislation permanently allows kids to be kids, and our teachers to teach in our classrooms.” The legislation requires that any policy prohibiting cell phone use must also include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. The bill also allows local school districts flexibility in how they implement the policy. “As a father of three, I knew how important this legislation would be in our schools and for our kids. I have worked for the last 12 years in the House on a lot of important legislation that has had a meaningful impact on schools, but making this ban permanent I think will tremendously improve the academic focus in our classrooms for years to come,” said House Education Appropriations Chairman Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, and author of the bill.  “Bell to Bell, No Cell has worked wonders in classrooms across Oklahoma,” said Senator Ally Seifried, R- Claremore, and senate author of the bill. “With fewer distractions from cellphones and social media, students are engaged and focused on their schoolwork again. Making this permanent is the right move for Oklahoma kids, and I look forward to seeing academic outcomes continue to improve the longer this policy is on the books.” 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, secured House passage of Senate Bill 1369, a measure to ensure the continuation and long-term stability of Oklahoma’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline. Senate Bill 1369 would create the 988 Lifeline Revolving Fund, which will support staffing, operations and the long-term sustainability of the 988 system. The state would be required to implement funding strategies to ensure the system is adequately supported, including maximizing federal funding opportunities and verifying reimbursements to behavioral health providers. The House passed the measure with a vote of 85-7. "Without legislative action, current funding for Oklahoma’s 988 system is set to expire soon, " Norwood said. "Since the launch of this critical three-digit number, thousands of Oklahomans have relied on this service, and we have a responsibility to ensure it remains available to those who need it most." The measure also designates the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as the primary oversight entity for suicide prevention and crisis service activities, including coordination with designated 988 Lifeline crisis centers. Norwood said the legislation builds on earlier work to ensure continuity of care and access to crisis services across the state. "This measure creates a dedicated, sustainable funding structure and establishes clear oversight so we can provide a stable, coordinated response for individuals in crisis, both now and in the future," Norwood said. To support the implementation of the measure, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1164 , which provides $5.9 million in funding for the 988 Lifeline Revolving Fund. That measure was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt on April 21. The bill, authored in the Senate by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, now advances to the governor’s desk for final approval.

The House today sent legislation to the Governor's desk authored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, that removes restrictions on teachers from teaching in public schools after retirement. House Bill 2288 changes an existing 36-month waiting period to six months for teachers who retire before they can return to teaching in Oklahoma public schools, while also drawing on their earned retirement benefits. Currently, teachers are allowed to go into a job in the private sector or in a private school, but must wait 36 months before returning to a public school classroom. "Our state has a teacher shortage and we must do all we can to keep quality teachers in our public school classrooms as long as they are willing to continue teaching," said Hilbert. "We need to allow these teachers – many of whom are still in their prime working years - to draw down the retirement benefits they have earned while remaining in the classroom if they choose to do so." The bill passed both chambers unanimously.