Decision Shaped by Open Debate and Informed Discussions, Not Party Lines

June 2, 2026

by State Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union)
Laws are created for many reasons: for protection, regulation, to promote fairness and safety, establish consistency, resolve conflicts, and enable trust. When legislators vote, we are responsible for educating ourselves and being open to hearing both sides of an issue.

At times, I can vote on a bill with firm conviction. Other times I listen to arguments for and against and find myself changing my mind with each new speaker. What will be best for everyone in the long run? This was the case with House Bill 1814, which passed in the House on June 1.

House Bill 1814 would ban the possession and use of cell phones and other mobile devices by students in K–12 during school hours in both public and private learning environments across the Commonwealth, with certain exemptions included in the legislation.

My instinct was to vote ‘yes.’ I believe cell phone use is hindering education in classrooms, with students of all ages distracted by whatever content is more interesting than the subject at hand. As a grown adult, I find myself distracted, drawn to my phone to learn, to be entertained or to follow whatever discussion is taking over social media. My initial “yes” was based on the belief that it would take a law to rein in cell phone usage in schools.

Then I thought about my belief in small government, and not making sweeping laws to govern every inch of this diverse Commonwealth with one stroke of a pen. School districts elect people to make policies that fit their educational needs, isn’t that the role of a school board? My vote then swung to “no.”

Then I thought about how local elections can sometimes go awry if the candidates elected are not qualified or willing to listen to and act on the best interest of their constituents. I think of Muncy Township and the swelling discontent with the chairperson of that board of supervisors. Is it sometimes better to pass laws to govern from the top? Maybe I should vote “yes.”

I listened to the arguments made in the House chamber, both for and against, and then I made some phone calls to local superintendents and to a handful of school board presidents. We talked about the issue.

Around 420 of 500 school districts in the Commonwealth already have a cell phone policy in place. Here in the 83rd District, schools have differing policies that seem to be working well for them. Making these decisions is what local elected officials, school board directors, are elected to do. I voted “no.”

House Bill 1814 does not resolve all conflicts, build trust or promote fairness regarding the autonomy school districts need to meet the needs of students, teachers and administrators.

The House ultimately passed the bill by a vote of 126 to 75. Support and opposition to the bill came from both parties. This was not a vote divided by party, but by educated differences of opinion, and that’s how it is supposed to work.

House Bill 1814 now heads to the Senate, which has already passed a similar bill. Senate members will consider the amendments the House made to the bill before making their final vote.

Representative Jamie Flick
83rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
717.772.9905
aforgotch@pahousegop.com
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