The State Senate President's proposal to make public schools cell phone-free has sparked much discussion and debate among community members.

Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka wants the state to consider making public schools free of cell phones to remove distractions from the classroom.

Senate President Karen E. Spilka told Boston-area business leaders Wednesday that the idea has broad support, and that at least 18 other states have already passed laws limiting phones in schools. Governor Maura Healey told reporters at a separate event Wednesday that she, too, backs “reining in” students’ use of phones while in class.