KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A new Kansas law taking effect Wednesday, requires public school districts statewide to ban students from having or using cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices during the school day, including during lunch and passing periods.
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) says that to support a focused learning environment, any phone brought to school will be collected upon arrival, stored securely, and returned at the end of the school day.
The law does not apply to technology issued by the school district, such as student Chromebooks or laptops.
Why the policy changed
KCKPS says the change is driven by a statewide mandate approved by Kansas lawmakers in spring 2026. Under the new law, districts must prohibit student access to and use of personal devices from “bell to bell.”
What devices are included
The law defines a “personal electronic communication device” as a wireless device that allows voice, text or video communication between two or more parties…