Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Banning Cell Phone Use During School Day
New law requires Kansas students to turn off and securely store personal electronic devices during school hours
TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Substitute for Substitute for House Bill 2299 on Thursday, banning the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the school day in Kansas public schools and accredited private schools. Kelly signed the bill at the Kansas Statehouse alongside a bipartisan group of legislators and advocates, according to a release from the governor's office.
The law requires students to turn off and securely store personal devices — including cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, wireless headphones and text messaging devices — during school hours on school premises. Exceptions are provided for students whose individualized education programs, 504 plans or physician-documented medical needs require device access. Students may still reach a parent or guardian through a school phone, and technology issued by school districts is not affected.
The bill also prohibits school district employees from using social media to communicate with students for official purposes or from requiring students to use social media for assignments or extracurricular activities. Kelly said the measure establishes one uniform statewide standard to address the impact smartphones and social media have on academic performance, learning environments and mental health.
Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi (R-Wichita) and Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes (D-Lenexa) both praised the bipartisan effort. "We will look back on this moment and know that we took a step in the right direction to protect Kansas kids," Sykes said. Rep. Angela Martinez (D-Wichita) said the bill is about creating an environment where students can focus on learning and protect their mental health. Rep. Jason Goetz (R-Dodge City) said passing the bill is a starting point, not a finish line, and emphasized the importance of partnering with schools to implement the policy in real classrooms.
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