(The Center Square) – As cellphone bans in schools are gaining steam in dozens of states, one lawmaker is taking it to the federal level by proposing legislation leading to cellphone-free schools.

Freshman Virginia Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman has introduced the UNPLUGGED Act, which the lawmaker describes as the “first step in restoring quality education” by removing cellphones from classrooms.

The movement to ban the technology from classrooms has gained bipartisan popularity by several state lawmakers. State leaders on opposite sides of the political, ideological spectrums appear to have found common ground, saying phones in the classroom are distractions and contribute to mental health issues.

Vindman recently hosted a roundtable discussion in Fredericksburg, Va., bringing together parents, educators and elected officials as a sounding board regarding the issue.

If approved, the legislation would “require state educational agencies to implement policies prohibiting the use or possession” of students’ cellphones in public schools “during school hours, and for other purposes.”

The legislation could mirror similar policies adopted by several states, including Virginia, led by an executive order issued by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin that directed the Department of Education to develop policies and procedures to establish “age-appropriate restriction or elimination” of cellphone use in school.

Vindman cited “stagnant” education performance and mental health in his decision to author the legislation while touting Virginia’s success in removing the technology from classrooms.

“Restoring a quality education across our country through phone-free classrooms,” said Vindman. “I know how hard it can be to unplug – but the results I’ve heard from local Virginia leaders and students speak for themselves. Across the 7th District, school communities are seeing real benefits from keeping phones out of the classroom: more conversation between students, less social anxiety, longer attention spans, and even higher attendance.” 

Vindman says his legislation is supported by Jonathan Haidt, a leading social psychologist who specializes in cellphones in the classroom.

“No other policy change would confer as big and as rapid a benefit to American schools as freeing students from the constant distractions of the buzzing phones in their pockets,” said Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation.” “To support kids’ mental health, educational success, and ability to pay attention – all schools in America should go bell-to-bell phone free. Schools that go phone free almost always report increased student engagement, decreased disciplinary problems, and, most touchingly, teachers say that they hear laughter in the hallways again.” 

In February, Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va. and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced the Focus on Learning Act, which would require the U.S. surgeon general to complete a study on the effects of cellphone or smartphone usage on students in K-12 classrooms, specifically looking at the impacts on mental health, educational outcomes and academic performance.

To date, nine states have statewide bans or restrictions on cell or smartphone usage in schools. Several other states have proposed statewide legislation to ban the device or review education department policy recommendations or pilot programs.

(The Center Square) – Foreclosure moratoriums on Federal Housing Administration single family mortgages are extended 90 days in disaster areas associated with Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Department of Housing and Urban Development said Tuesday.

“Individuals and families across the Southeast are still putting pieces of their livelihoods back together following back-to-back hurricanes this fall,” Secretary Scott Turner said. “HUD remains committed to the long-term recovery of these impacted communities. Today’s action will allow more flexibility as our fellow Americans continue working to stabilize their families, properties and communities.”

Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked havoc on Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. A release from HUD says more than 1 million single family mortgages are within these presidentially declared major disaster areas.

Mortgage services, according to the release, cannot initiate or complete foreclosure actions “on FHA-insured single family forward or Home Equity Conversion mortgages in the Hurricane Helene and Milton PDMDAs through July 10.”

It is the second extension of the moratoriums. Without the extension, the first would have expired on Friday.

North Carolina took the hardest hit from Helene, with 107 of the storm’s 236 deaths and an estimated $60 billion in damage. Forty-two died in the United States because of Milton; damage was estimated at more than $34 billion in Florida.

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said, “As western North Carolina works to recover from the devastation left by Helene, it is crucial that we provide families with the support they need to restore their homes and rebuild their lives. Extending the foreclosure moratoriums offers vital time and flexibility for borrowers to access critical assistance, ensuring that no family is left behind as they work to recover and move forward.”

Tennessee Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said the federal support is needed and appreciated.

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., said in a release, “As the Suncoast continues to rebuild from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida families deserve our full support as we recover from the devastating impact of natural disasters. This extension from HUD is a critical step in helping our communities stay housed while they recover. I appreciate HUD’s continued attention to the needs of Floridians as we work together to rebuild stronger than before.”

Florida was hit by three hurricanes in 66 days.

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near Steinhatchee on Aug. 5, Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Dekle Beach on Sept. 26, and Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Siesta Key on Wednesday night.

Helene became problematic for the Carolinas and Tennessee when it began to dissipate over the mountains, in some places dropping more than 30 inches of rain. The terrain created rushing currents, very unlike the Carolinas shores near sea level when hit by hurricanes.