MONTGOMERY, Alabama: Alabama's House of Representatives has passed a bill that would stop students from using cellphones in public schools.

Increasingly, states are attempting to limit or ban the use of phones in schools. Many people worry that phones distract students and that too much screen time and social media can harm mental health.

The Alabama bill states that students can't have their phones on them during the school day in any public school from kindergarten to 12th grade—unless the phone is turned off and stored in a locker, car, or similar location.

Lawmakers voted 79 to 15 in favor of the bill. It will now go to the Alabama Senate.

Governor Kay Ivey had asked lawmakers to pass the ban during her State of the State speech. She posted on social media, saying the goal is to create the best learning environment for students.

Republican Representative Leigh Hulsey, who introduced the bill, said each school district will choose how phones should be stored. Some schools already use locked pouches called Yondr to keep phones out of sight during the day. Others may ask students to leave phones in cars, lockers, or special storage areas.

Democratic Representative Napoleon Bracy disagreed with the bill. He said it goes too far because teachers and schools can already make rules about phones in the classroom.