NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – It’s been a contentious topic for years, phones in schools. Now, days until the next legislative session, one New Mexico lawmaker has filed a bill that would incentivize school districts in the state to limit student cellphone use.

“You know, this isn’t a partisan issue and this is a problem that we’re seeing nationwide.” It’s a growing movement across the country limiting cell phone use in the classroom,” said Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Luna & Sierra Counties.)

“You know, on average, the American teen now spends over five hours on cell phone, on social media alone, and that’s too much,” said Sen. Brantley.

Sen. Brantley filed a bill that would incentive school districts to do just that. “You know, as a mother, I’ve seen firsthand, as a senator, I hear from countless parents, the negative impacts that these phones and social media are having on our children,” said Sen. Brantley.

Brantley blames cellphones for ailing mental health and declining performance. She said something needs to be done to help students be engaged in the classroom. “It will help with social interaction, so that our kids, and most importantly, it will help with academic success, to get them focused on the teachers, on the curriculum, in the classroom, and log off online,” said Sen. Brantley.

The bill would offer $10,000 to the New Mexico Public Education Department to come up with programs to limit cellphone use. One example is from Los Angeles, which requires students to put their phones in a pouch that locks during class. It unlocks once they exit the room. If there’s an emergency, students are still to be able to access their phones.

“We have some successful programs in other states that have locked bags, and as they exit the classroom door, a magnet can release the locked bag, and so for in-between changing class periods, or perhaps on the commons area during lunch, students can access their phone,” said Sen. Brantley.

Sen. Brantley said this non-partisan issue would put students’ mental health and performance at the forefront of education. “Not only are we targeting their educational value there at school, but this is also an opportunity to tackle the mental health crisis that we’re seeing among our teens.”

Hope Christian has already banned phones during school hours. Albuquerque Public Schools has restrictions on cellphone use and Santa Fe Public Schools is considering a policy to keep phones off and out of sight during class.