Republican and Democratic leaders in the Kansas Senate pre-filed a bipartisan bill Tuesday that would require all public and private accredited school districts to adopt policies banning cell phones and other personal communication devices during school hours.
“Phone-free schools give students space to think, build authentic human relationships, and protect student mental health from constant digital pressure,” said Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, an Andale Republican, in a press release. “The longer phones stay in classrooms, the harder it becomes to undo the damage.”
The release describes the bill, which has 28 co-sponsors, as a high priority for lawmakers returning to Topeka next week to begin the 2026 legislative session.
Many Johnson County and Wyandotte County public districts already have policies restricting device usage during the school day. Existing policies that allow for limited screen time during lunch and passing periods would have to be updated if the bill became law.
Spokespeople for two local districts that responded to The Star’s request for comment expressed skepticism that lawmakers’ intervention would enhance their policies.
Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said failure to pass a statewide school cell phone ban would be a disservice to Kansas students and educators.
“Studies show that classrooms without phones have more engaged students leading to face-to-face conversations, stronger peer relationships, safer school environments and better academic outcomes,” Sykes said in the release.
Missouri’s statewide ban on cell phones in schools went into effect last fall semester.
Cell phone ban specifics
Senate Bill 302 would prohibit students from using cell phones and any other personal electronic communication devices not issued by the district while on school premises from the opening bell until classes are dismissed.
Other pieces of technology that would be banned under the bill’s language include tablets, computers, smart watches, wireless headphones and earbuds, and personal digital assistants.
The bill would require that all devices be turned off and securely stored in an inaccessible location during instructional time. Districts would be required to establish enforcement procedures and disciplinary actions for students who violate the policy.
There would be exceptions for students who need devices for the implementation of their individualized education program, or IEP, as well as for students who present notes from licensed physicians deeming certain devices to be medically necessary to support their health or well-being.
Existing school device policies
Most Kansas public school districts in the Kansas City metro area have adopted their own cell phone policies in recent years.
Shawnee Mission, Gardner Edgerton, Olathe, Turner and Kansas City, Kansas, school districts all provided copies of their personal electronic device policies in response to a request from The Star.
Each of those existing policies allows high school students to access their cell phones and other personal devices during lunch and passing periods. Shawnee Mission’s policy also allows middle school students to check their phones at their lockers between classes.
David Smith, a spokesperson for the Shawnee Mission, said the district collected broad community feedback before implementing its device policy in January 2025. He said the district is opposed to a new statewide policy further restricting cell phones.
“In Kansas, local school boards are responsible for developing policy for how schools function,” Smith said in an email. “This responsibility is written into the Kansas Constitution, and we strongly believe that our community has already made the decision that is best for their schools and their children with regard to personal electronic device use.”
Lauren Aiello, a spokesperson for the Turner district, said since implementing a new device policy at the beginning of this school year, high school students “have exceeded expectations and demonstrated that they are capable of keeping their cell phones off during instructional time.”
“We feel that the practice, as it is currently implemented, works well for our students and staff in USD 202. We do not see a need for additional restrictions,” Aiello said in an email.
If Senate Bill 302 becomes law, districts will have to adopt new device policies conforming to its heightened restrictions no later than Sept. 1.
The Senate press release says leaders expect the bill to pass in January. To become law, it would also have to be approved by the House and signed by Gov. Laura Kelly or approved over her veto by two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers.
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