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# Kansas Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill Banning Cellphones in Schools
- URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/kansas-lawmakers-introduce-bipartisan-bill-banning-cellphones-in-schools/
- Published: 2026-01-08T14:18:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-29T23:39:14.000Z
- Description: Legislation would require districts to prohibit student phone use during instructional time by September 2026
- Author: Greg Loving
- Tags: hcj, #news

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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