Signed by Governor Mike Kehoe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires school districts to ban cellphone use during the school day for students in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Requires that for the 2025-26 school year and all subsequent school years, each school district shall adopt a written policy restricting student cellphone use in Missouri (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that the policy shall be developed and designed to promote the educational interests of students and provide a safe working environment (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that such policy shall, at a minimum (Sec. 3):

• Prohibit students from using cellphones from the beginning of the school day through the end of the school day, including instructional time, meal times, breaks, time between classes, during study halls, and on field trips;

• Specify the disciplinary procedures and measures if a student violates the policy; and

• Provide exceptions to the use of cellphones during the case of an emergency.

• Exempts any individual from the provisions of this bill if they are using their cellphone in the case of an emergency, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 3):

• An active fire;

• An active tornado or earthquake;

• An active shooter;

• An evacuation of school grounds;

• A medical emergency; or

• Any other serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation.

• Requires each school district and charter school governing board to post the policy on its school website (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies that a school employee or volunteer shall not face liability for actions in violation of the provisions of this bill if they act in good faith and follow the proper disciplinary procedures (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall expire on August 28, 2032 (Sec. 6).  

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires school districts to ban cellphone use during the school day for students in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Requires that for the 2025-26 school year and all subsequent school years, each school district shall adopt a written policy restricting student cellphone use in Missouri (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that the policy shall be developed and designed to promote the educational interests of students and provide a safe working environment (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that such policy shall, at a minimum (Sec. 3):

• Prohibit students from using cellphones from the beginning of the school day through the end of the school day, including instructional time, meal times, breaks, time between classes, during study halls, and on field trips;

• Specify the disciplinary procedures and measures if a student violates the policy; and

• Provide exceptions to the use of cellphones during the case of an emergency.

• Exempts any individual from the provisions of this bill if they are using their cellphone in the case of an emergency, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 3):

• An active fire;

• An active tornado or earthquake;

• An active shooter;

• An evacuation of school grounds;

• A medical emergency; or

• Any other serious, unexpected, and dangerous situation.

• Requires each school district and charter school governing board to post the policy on its school website (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies that a school employee or volunteer shall not face liability for actions in violation of the provisions of this bill if they act in good faith and follow the proper disciplinary procedures (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall expire on August 28, 2032 (Sec. 6).  

Full Bill Text