During her 2026 State of the State address back in January, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said she would sign a cell phone ban in schools. On Thursday, she made good on her statement.
The governor signed Senate Substitute for Substitute for House Bill 2299, which bans the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices as part of what lawmakers have called a “bell to bell” policy. The governor says this is a way to have a uniform statewide standard towards reducing distractions while improving academic achievements, school environments and student mental health.
The new law has cell phones and a range of personal devices — tablets, computers, watches, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging devices and personal digital assistants — turned off and “securely stored” during school. Exceptions include student individual education plans, better known as IEPs, and doctor-approved situations.
The bill passed the Senate on a 32-4 vote and the House 84-39. 17th District Senator Mike Argabright voted against the bill, while 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber, 13th District Representative Duane Droge and 76th District Representative Brad Barrett voted in favor.
