Missouri Prepared to Ban Cell Phones at Schools

Section 162.207 of Missouri Senate Bill 68 that just passed through both legislative chambers in Jefferson City will effectively ban cell phones at Missouri schools beginning in the fall for the next school year (2025-26)

Missouri Capital - Jefferson City

This new rule will make cell phones -or other electronic personal communication devices- prohibited throughout the school day, including in between classes, lunch periods or study halls. Nine other states including border state Arkansas have already implemented some version of cell phone ban.

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The idea being that the cell phones/devices are a persistent distraction for students. And the removal of the distractions will allow for better concentration and focus on curriculum and learning, leading to better test scores and grades.

Polling across the country shows approval for cell phones bans in the classroom. Several states already have banned cell phones, or are in the process of crafting similar legislation concerning cell phones in classrooms and schools as school districts themselves have been implementing bans.

Across Missouri - Independence to Jeff City, Columbia to St. Louis and Springfield to Hannibal the ban will take effect in the fall (August) of 2025

Missouri’s legislation doesn’t prescribe a specific punishment, but does allow for exceptions for students with disabilities who may require a device as part of their I.E.P., or if there were a school emergency. Section 162.207 also doesn’t state where the devices are to be kept. Leaving those details to school boards across the state. All that is left is for Governor Mike Kehoe to sign the legislation into law.