WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2186

Requiring school districts to prohibit the use of privately owned electronic communication devices during school hours and to prohibit students from using school district computers or devices to access social media platforms.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 2186 requires school boards to prohibit students from using privately owned devices during school hours and to block access to social media on district devices.

Died in Committee
#schools
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2186

Summary — HB 2186 (Introduced January 28, 2025)

Re: requiring school districts to prohibit use of privately owned electronic communication devices during school hours and to prohibit student access to social media from district computers/devices

Main purpose

HB 2186 directs local school boards to adopt policies that (1) prohibit students from using privately owned electronic communication devices during the normal school day and (2) prohibit students from using school district computers or devices to access social media platforms. The bill establishes limited, specific exceptions and requires districts to define disciplinary consequences for violations.

Key provisions

  • Boards must adopt written policies and procedures governing privately owned electronic communication devices that:
    • Prohibit student use of any privately owned electronic communication device at school during normal school hours, including passing periods and in the classroom.
    • Specify disciplinary actions and consequences for policy violations.
    • Allow device use only in limited circumstances:
    • When required to implement a student’s IEP or Section 504 plan.
    • When authorized by a teacher or administrator for an educational purpose (explicitly not for classroom rewards or free time).
    • When pre‑approved on an individual basis for health, emergency, or other special circumstances.
  • Boards must also adopt policies and procedures prohibiting students from using school district computers or devices to access any social media platform.
  • Definitions included in the bill:
    • “Privately owned electronic communication device” — wireless devices enabling voice, text, or video communication (examples: mobile/cellular phones, tablets, computers, watches) not owned/issued by the district.
    • “Social media platform” — websites/applications that allow registered users to create accounts/profiles and create, share, and view user‑generated content and primarily serve as user interaction media.
  • Effective date: the act takes effect upon publication in the statute book.

Who is affected

  • Primary: students enrolled in school districts and school district staff (teachers, administrators) responsible for implementing and enforcing policies.
  • School boards/district administrators: required to adopt, publish and enforce new policies and possibly revise technology filters and handbooks.
  • Families: restrictions on students’ use of personal devices during school hours; processes for requesting exceptions.
  • Students with disabilities: IEP/504 accommodations explicitly preserved.

Fiscal and implementation considerations

  • Fiscal note (Division of the Budget, Feb. 19, 2025): no fiscal effect on the Kansas Department of Education or state aid payments. Local districts must develop and implement policies and enforce them; costs cannot be precisely estimated.
  • Kansas Association of School Boards notes districts may need to update policies and install network/security updates to block device use; anticipated fiscal effect described as negligible but not quantified.
  • Likely local costs: staff time to draft/update policies, communication/training for staff and families, possible IT/ filtering changes, and administrative resources for handling disciplinary actions and exception requests.

Procedural status

  • Introduced January 28, 2025; referred to the House Committee on Education. (Fiscal note dated February 19, 2025.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.