Crystal Brantley, a New Mexico State Senator representing District 35, said that Senate Bill 11 (SB 11) will enhance education and student mental health by providing grants to schools adopting phone-free policies. This announcement was made in a press release on January 29.
"I am excited to see the committee move forward with this program. We are last in the nation in education and by advancing this policy we not only can improve educational outcomes but student's mental health," said Brantley, District 35 NM State Senator. "I was pleased to see teachers, students, charter schools, public schools, superintendents, and many others come together and support this legislation."
According to the New Mexico Legislature, SB 11, introduced by Brantley, seeks to encourage school districts in New Mexico to implement phone-free policies by offering grants to cover related expenses such as phone lockers. The bill has received a 'Do Pass' recommendation from the Senate Education Committee with a vote of 7-2 and is now advancing to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.
AP News reports that as of January 2025, at least eight U.S. states—California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia—have enacted measures to ban or restrict cellphone use in schools. These initiatives aim to minimize distractions and enhance student concentration during instructional time. For example, Florida's House Bill 379 prohibits student cellphone use during class and requires designated areas for device storage. Similarly, Indiana's Senate Bill 185 bans the use of portable wireless devices during instructional periods with certain exceptions.
According to her website, Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley has represented New Mexico’s Senate District 35 since 2020. She became the first woman and first Republican elected to this seat. Brantley holds a degree in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business from New Mexico State University and has served as director of the Sierra Soil & Water Conservation District. She is also a member of the Senate Finance Committee and was the first New Mexico senator selected for the Republican State Leadership Committee.
