Missouri bans use of cellphones in schools with new state law

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Students across the Show-Me state will see sweeping new cell phone restrictions starting in the upcoming school year in K-12 classrooms, part of a new law signed Tuesday that includes exceptions for certain emergencies.

The measure is part of a wide-ranging education bill -- Senate Bill 68 -- that was signed Wednesday by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. The policy states that beginning in the 2025-26 school year, each Missouri K-12 school district, including charter schools, must have a written policy restricting students’ use of phones.

The policy must include prohibiting students from displaying or using the device during the entire school day, including during instructional time, mealtimes and between classes, with certain exceptions for things like medical emergencies, natural disasters and other circumstances identified by a district. 

In a statement to News-Press NOW, St. Joseph School District Superintendent Ashly McGinnis said the district will be updating its handbooks and suggesting policy changes for the board that align with the new law, as well as providing communication to staff and families.

"Senate Bill 68 addresses several school-related issues, including the impact of student cell phone use. Research continues to show that phones can be a major distraction from learning and lead to increased discipline challenges for teachers. We believe this part of the bill will support a focused learning environment for all students," the statement read.

Currently, the St. Joseph School District prohibits cell phone usage at any point of the day for elementary students. For middle and high schoolers, they are only allowed to have their phone before school, during lunch and after school. Cell phones are regularly monitored by teachers, campus supervisors, principals, lunchroom staff and other adults in the building.

On the first offense, phones are confiscated and picked up at the end of the day by the student. On subsequent offenses, phones are confiscated and picked up at the end of the day by a parent, consequences may include loss of privilege and the development of an individualized check-in plan.

The bill does not require phones to be locked away, meaning school board officials will have to decide whether devices will be put in designated areas or if students can keep the devices with them.  

"It will be a big change ... as a member of the school board I know the importance of eliminating as many extra distractions in the classroom as we can. and so, I think it's a good thing," she said. "I want for people to realize what you did before cell phones, you were still able to contact your children at school if need be."

She anticipates changes will receive push back from students and even parents who have become dependent on cell phones for direct communication during school. 

Williams said cellphone overuse is a challenge that isn't limited to K-12 schools, calling it the "number one" challenge for many before and after-school programs locally as well. She stressed that parents will have to be a critical part of the equation to build healthier cell phone habits outside of school that can then be applied to school and life.

"I'm just asking the parents. We need your help. I know these are your children, and you want access on your children at all times, but our job at the school district is to educate those kids," she said. "If the parents will help us implement these rules, it will be easier on the district to implement them."

Each district will be required to describe how it intends to discipline students if they violate the policy, as well as any exceptions to allow for cell phone usage in certain circumstances. Phones are also permitted when necessary to ensure compliance with federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, including for Individualized Education Programs (IEP). 

Polling conducted by Saint Louis University and YouGov this year showed widespread voter support for banning cell phones in schools, with over 70% of likely Missouri voters favoring prohibiting students from accessing cell phones during regular instructional activities across all K–12 schools.

The bill also says that a school district or charter school employee or volunteer will be immune from any liability if the employee or volunteer acts in good faith and follows the proper disciplinary procedures.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story has been updated to correct the spelling of Ashly McGinnis. News-Press NOW apologizes for this error.