Following the defeat of his bill to limit cellphones in school, state Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, is offering to visit classrooms across the state to talk about the issue with students.

“This is a great opportunity for students to learn about the legislative process because it’s something they care about, and it’s an easy-to-understand example of how a bill becomes a law. Or doesn’t in this case,” Tisdel said. “I expect many of them to have strong opinions – in fact, I expect to get booed.”

Tisdel introduced legislation to limit cellphones-in-school last term, but his bill never got a vote when Democrats controlled the House. Governor Whitmer then made the cellphones-in-school issue a priority in her 2025 State of the State address, but despite her support, Tisdel’s bill failed along mostly party lines. Every Democrat either voted against the bill or abstained from voting; two GOP lawmakers opposed and three were absent.

Government and social studies teachers who would like Tisdel to visit their classroom may contact Tisdel at his Lansing office by calling 517-373-1792 or emailing [email protected]

Tisdel said he would welcome schools to also invite local lawmakers who voted against the bill, and said he is even willing to debate at a school assembly.

“Cellphones are addictive devices. Just ask any parent who tries to take their teen’s phone away. We’ve got to get the phones out of the classroom so that students can focus on learning, and so kids can be kids again,” Tisdel said.

As for the fate of his cellphones-in-school bill, Tisdel said, “I’m hearing that some Democrat lawmakers are starting to regret their vote, and they want a do-over.”

A June survey by Pew Research found that 3 out of 4 adults support a ban on cellphones in middle and high school class.