TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has signed Senate Substitute for Substitute for House Bill 2299 (Sub for HB 2299), banning the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the school day. Governor Kelly signed the bill on Thursday alongside a bipartisan group of legislators and advocates at the Kansas Statehouse.
“In our rapidly changing world, technology dominates our lives, and that’s why it’s essential that we reduce distractions in the classroom,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We must have one uniform standard across the state to tackle this issue and set our students up for success. By banning cell phone use during the school day, we’re taking a commonsense approach to address the impact smartphones and social media have on Kansas children’s academic performance, learning environments, and mental health.”
The bill requires Kansas public schools and accredited private schools to prohibit the use of personal electronic devices during the school day on school premises. These devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, tablets, computers, watches, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging devices, and personal digital assistants. Students’ personal devices must be turned off and securely stored during the school day.
“As a father of four young boys, I see firsthand how today’s technology can affect kids’ ability to learn and grow,” said Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, District 26. “I’m proud the legislature came together to pass a bill that puts Kansas kids first.”
Sub for HB 2299 includes exceptions if a device is needed for the implementation of a student’s individualized education program or 504 plan, or if approved by a physician as a medical necessity. Students may still contact a parent or guardian via school phone. The bill does not apply to technology that is issued to students by school districts.
“We will look back on this moment and know that we took a step in the right direction to protect Kansas kids. Research has shown us that our students’ mental health, test scores, and concentration levels are negatively impacted by overuse of social media and cell phones,” said Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, District 21. “I am proud of the bipartisan work put into this bill, and the many discussions we have had with stakeholders, local officials, lawmakers, and the Governor’s office. It is time that we got cell phones out of Kansas classrooms. Our kids deserve policies that prioritize their health and strengthen their future, and that is what HB 2299 does.”
The bill also prohibits employees of school districts from using social media to communicate with students for official school purposes, or from requiring the use of social media for any assignment or extracurricular activity.
“This is about creating a school environment where kids can focus on learning, protect their mental health, and simply be kids again,” said Representative Angela Martinez, District 103.
“Senate Substitute for Substitute for HB 2299 is about setting a clear, student-centered standard—and then working hand-in-hand with our districts to implement it in a way that works for their communities,” said Representative Jason Goetz, District 119. “Because passing a bill is not the finish line. It’s the starting point. Our commitment moving forward is to partner with schools, to listen, to adjust where needed, and to make sure this policy works not just on paper—but in real classrooms, with real students.”
