Kansas public schools are implementing a broad ban on student cell phone use during school hours, a policy mandated by House Bill 2299, signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in March. The law, which prohibits K-12 students from using personal electronic devices from the first bell to the last, aims to reduce classroom distractions. School districts have been given flexibility in how they enforce the measure.
Some districts, like the Kansas City public school district, have invested in specialized lockers for student cell phones. Wyandotte High School, for instance, has installed lockers costing $150,000, where students deposit their phones at the start of the school day and retrieve them at dismissal. This method has drawn online discussion, with some questioning the security and practicality of storing numerous devices. Concerns have also been raised about potential workarounds, such as students surrendering secondary or non-functional phones, and the insurance implications for schools holding so many devices.
Alternative enforcement methods are being used across the state. Piper Unified School District students store their phones in traditional lockers, inaccessible during the school day. Basehor-Linwood Unified School District has also acquired specific lockers for its high school students. Meanwhile, the Shawnee Mission Unified School District encourages students to leave phones at home, in their cars, or in a standard locker.
Violations of the policy carry consequences. A first offense results in confiscation of the device for the entire school day. Three or more offenses can lead to a one-day suspension. The ban extends to personal tablets, computers, smartwatches, wireless headphones, and other text messaging devices, though school-issued technology remains permitted. Exemptions are available for students with medical needs or those requiring devices as part of an educational plan.
The bipartisan bill passed the state senate with a 32-4 vote and the House of Representatives with an 84-39 vote. However, the law has faced some opposition. State Senator Cindy Holscher, who voted against the bill, argued that it represented an overreach and did not adequately address student mental health challenges, suggesting that local leaders should find alternative solutions. Democratic Rep. Stephanie Clayton also voted against the measure, citing the necessity of phones for teenagers, particularly those who drive themselves to school.
This measure in Kansas mirrors a similar “bell to bell” ban already in effect in New York's public schools, impacting nearly a million students.