Kansas Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill Banning Cellphones in Schools
Legislation would require districts to prohibit student phone use during instructional time by September 2026
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Senate leaders from both parties filed legislation Tuesday to ban cellphones in K-12 classrooms statewide, overriding the Kansas State Board of Education's previous stance allowing local districts to set their own policies.
Senate Bill 302, introduced Jan. 6 by Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, R-Andale, and Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, would require all public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal electronic communication devices during instructional time. The bill requires students to power off and securely store phones, tablets, smartwatches and wireless earbuds during class, with schools establishing disciplinary procedures for violations. Districts must certify compliance with the Kansas State Board of Education by Sept. 1, 2026. The legislation includes exceptions for students with individualized education programs, 504 plans or documented medical needs, and also restricts school employees from communicating with students via social media platforms for official school purposes.
Co-sponsors:
Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita
Sen. Larry Alley, R-Winfield
Sen. Tory Marie Blew, R-Great Bend
Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia
Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton
Sen. Joseph Claeys, R-Maize
Sen. William Clifford, R-Garden City
Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Prairie Village
Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita
Sen. Michael Fagg, R-El Dorado
Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita
Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence
Sen. Scott Hill, R-Abilene
Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing
Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton
Sen. Mike Petersen, R-Wichita
Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City
Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover
Sen. Michael Murphy, R-Sylvia
Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston
Sen. Virgil Peck, R-Havana
Sen. TJ Rose, R-Olathe
Sen. Tim Shallenburger, R-Baxter Springs
Sen. Doug Shane, R-Louisburg
Sen. Brad Starnes, R-Riley
Sen. Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa
Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee
Sen. Kellie Warren, R-Leawood
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