The Kansas Senate took another step toward a cellphone ban that covers other digital devices in K-12 schools with decisive, bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at both public and accredited private schools. The 32-4 vote sends the measure back to the House, which recently passed its own bill in order for that body to consider Senate amendments.
Among the provisions of the legislation passed by the Senate:
(1) Prohibits students from using or accessing personal electronic communication devices during the school day;
(2) Requires that all personal electronic communication devices be turned off and securely stored away from the student’s person in an inaccessible location during the school day;
(3) Authorizes students to not bring personal electronic communication devices to school by leaving such devices at a house or in a vehicle, even if such vehicle is located on the school premises;
(4) Sets forth enforcement procedures and disciplinary actions for violations of such policies and procedures.
(5) Authorizes any student to use a personal electronic communication device during the school day only if the use is: Required for the implementation of a student’s individualized education program (IEP) or 504 Plan; or approved by a licensed physician as a medical necessity to support the health or well-being of the student; and the intervention of last resort such that there is no other reasonable alternative option available for such student
Governor Laura Kelly has indicated her support for a cellphone ban in schools.
According to coverage in The Sunflower State Journal, Kansas would become among roughly three dozen states banning cellphone usage in schools if the measure is signed into law.
For the Senate’s top Democrat, Dina Sykes of Lenexa, the issue is the well-being of children:
“Our kids are suffering. “There’s anxiety, mental health, and this is a step in the right direction. I’ve struggled with this for two years, trying to find the right path, gone against a lot of people who think I took away local control.”
Sen. Sykes added:
“When the health of our children is a factor, there is a reason for broad, statewide legislation. This bill is not perfect. There are things in it I don’t like. I know a lot of our school districts are doing good things. I think we will look back and realize this was the right thing for our kids.”
Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi of Wichita, who introduced the measure with Sykes, concurred with his colleague:
“Imagine what a young, little mind is doing when that phone is buzzing throughout the school day. Test scores continue to drop in our state, which I attribute in large part to the use of technology in the classroom, but also the use of cellphones.
Blasi concluded with his concern about the mental health aspects associated with digital devices:
“Anxiety, depression, suicide. Those are major issues we keep hearing, and the Legislature keeps putting money into tackling these issues in our schools, but in a large part, those can be attributed back to cellphones.”
Senate Education Committee Chair Renee Erickson’s concerns about the bill’s treatment of private schools were allayed when only those institutions receiving state accreditation were included in the ban:
“My priority was protecting the private schools as much as possible, and I think this bill gives flexibility in that process. A compromise, but a compromise I can live with. Now, private schools can decide whether they want to be KSDE (Kansas State Department of Education)-accredited or not be under this rule.”
Erickson added:
“I think we all understand the gravity of what we’re dealing with, and our kids are worth protecting.”
