NJ Lawmaker Proposes Phone Ban for Legislators to Match School Rules

New Jersey Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Morris) has introduced legislation that would ban lawmakers from using cell phones and other internet-enabled devices during official proceedings. The proposed "Practice What We Preach Act" seeks to hold elected officials to the same behavioral standards recently imposed on the state's public school students.

Under the terms of the bill, legislators would be prohibited from possessing or using internet-enabled devices for non-legislative purposes from the moment a session is called to order until the adjournment of quorum calls, voting sessions, or committee meetings. To ensure compliance, the legislation proposes that lawmakers store their devices in secure lockers located outside of committee rooms and legislative chambers.

A Response to School Bans

The proposal comes as a direct reaction to New Jersey's "bell-to-bell" cell phone ban for public school students, which took effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year. Bergen, who was among a small number of lawmakers to vote against the restrictions for students, argues that the logic used to justify the school bans should apply equally to those managing the state's finances.

Bergen highlighted the disparity in stakes between a student and a politician, stating that while a student on a phone in algebra might miss a formula, a legislator on a phone during a vote could miss an entire budget. He further challenged his colleagues, noting that any member who finds the bill "insulting, paternalistic and heavy-handed" should question why they supported imposing those same conditions on children.

Penalties and Accountability

The act introduces a tiered system of penalties for lawmakers who violate the device ban. Initial infractions would be classified as a disorderly persons offense. Additionally, offending legislators would be required to remain in their seats for one hour following adjournment to reflect on state business.

For those who repeatedly ignore the rules, the bill proposes an "in-Statehouse suspension." This penalty would require the lawmaker to continue reporting to Trenton daily but would strip them of the privilege of speaking on the legislative floor.

Implications for Governance

The introduction of the act underscores a growing debate over perceived hypocrisy in governance. By mirroring the restrictions placed on minors, the bill forces the legislative body to either embrace the discipline they mandate for students or acknowledge a double standard in how the state views the distraction of digital devices.

Whether the bill gains traction remains to be seen, but it places the New Jersey legislature in a position where it must define whether the "distraction" of a smartphone is a matter of age or a matter of professional responsibility. For now, the proposal serves as a pointed critique of the state's current approach to digital discipline in public institutions.