Kansas House Bill 2299 - Cell Phone & Social Media Legislation - Families

Kansas law HB2299 will require changes to district policy concerning student cell phone and personal device use during the school day beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

McPherson Public Schools is working to implement the requirements of Kansas House Bill 2299 while supporting students, families, and staff through the transition. This page will serve as the central location for policy information, updates, frequently asked questions, and implementation details related to student personal electronic communication devices.

As guidance continues to develop throughout the summer, this page will be updated with new information, expectations, and answers to questions submitted by families and staff. We appreciate your patience and partnership as we work through these required changes together.

HB 2299 Law Overview

The following is not McPherson Public Schools Policy. It is a summary only of House Bill 2299. Please refer to the full House Bill 2299 for more information.

Personal Communication Devices - Cell Phones

Schools must restrict student use of and access to cell phones and personal electronic communication devices during the school day. Smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, etc. must be turned off and stored away from students from the start of school until dismissal.
This includes lunch and passing periods.

Students may choose not to bring devices to school at all. They can leave them at home or in their car in the school parking lot.
Students must have a way to contact parents/guardians using a school phone provided by the school.

The rules do not apply during travel to or from off‐campus learning, such as technical school classes, work-based learning and college classes during the school day.
Virtual schools are exempt from this law.

2-Way Messaging

In July 2026, Kansas House Bill will take effect to regulate how direct messages can be sent between a student and any school district employee. The new law outlines criteria for what digital communication tools staff members may use when contacting a student.

The new law allows two-way messaging between students and district employees when using board-approved communication systems that meet each of the following criteria:

The platform is owned, licensed or contractually controlled by the school district, and
All user accounts are created by and continually managed by the school district, and

District officials have access,
oversight and the ability to
review an archive of all
messages that have been
sent, and
Parents and guardians can
access the platform.

HB 2299 at McPherson Public Schools

McPherson Public Schools is currently developing the policies required to comply with Kansas House Bill 2299 while helping ensure a smooth transition for students, families, and staff.

As guidance continues to evolve, the Board of Education and district leadership team will continue reviewing and updating policies, daily procedures, storage expectations, definitions, allowable exceptions under the law, and other operational details related to personal communication devices and social media use.

Personal Communication Devices in USD 418

When students arrive at school, each student should turn off their phone and make it inaccessible for the day.

At MHS, this means storing it in their vehicle or locker
At MMS, this means storing it in their locker
At the Elementary schools, this means storing it in their backpack

If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the office. We look forward to providing you with caring, timely assistance

If your child needs to reach you during the day, encourage them to let their teacher know so that arrangements can be made

Board Policy JCDC - Student Personal Electronic Communications Devices

The USD 418 Board of Education approved this policy on June 15, 2026.

JCDC - Student Personal Electronic Communications Devices (See BDA, JBD, and JDD)

Students are prohibited from using or accessing personal electronic communication devices during the school day while on district owned or operated property, except as expressly permitted by this policy or by law.

This policy does not apply to any virtual school, as defined by Kansas law.

When personal electronic communication device use is not permitted, students are allowed reasonable access to a school-provided telephone or communication device during the school day to contact a parent or person acting as a parent.

Device Storage

All student personal electronic communication devices shall be powered off and securely stored away from the student’s person in an inaccessible location during the school day, unless an exception applies to this requirement as specified in this policy.

Students may choose not to bring personal electronic communication devices to school by leaving such devices at home or in a vehicle, including a vehicle located on school premises. As students will not have the ability to access or use such devices during the school day, students are encouraged to leave any personal electronic communication devices not necessary for the implementation of their Individualized Education Program (hereafter “IEP”) or Section 504 accommodation plan (hereafter “504 plan”), communication during their commute to or from school, for work, or learning experience that is not located on the school premises at home. If students elect to leave such devices in their vehicle, students are encouraged to lock their vehicles to protect against theft of or damage to the devices.

Kansas law provides that the board, school district employees, and/or any agents thereof shall not be liable for any damage to personal electronic communication devices or for storage of such devices that are brought to school.

The superintendent or superintendent’s designee(s) shall develop procedures to ensure all personal electronic communication devices are turned off and securely stored away from the student’s person in an inaccessible location during the school day. Such procedures shall be included in student handbooks as adopted by the board and communicated to students and parents/guardians as deemed appropriate by district administration.

Definitions For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

“Personal electronic communication device” is any wireless electronic communication device that both provides for voice, text, or video communication between two or more parties, including, but not limited to, a mobile or cellular phone, tablet, computer, watch, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging device, or personal digital assistant; and is not owned or issued to students by the school district.
“School day” is the time from the start of school until dismissal at the end of the day on the school premises, including, but not limited to, the time in any classroom, structured or unstructured learning setting, recess, lunch or passing period. The term “school day” excludes any time associated with a student's travel to or from a learning experience that is not located on the school premises, including any postsecondary educational course, career technical education course, work-based learning program, or other alternative educational opportunity.

Permitted Exception

A student may be permitted to use a personal electronic communication device during the school day under the following circumstances.

Any student may use a personal electronic communication device during the school day if it is the intervention of last resort such that there is no other reasonable alternative option available for such student, and the use is either:

Required for the implementation of a student's IEP or 504 plan; or
Approved by a licensed physician as a medical necessity to support the health or well-being of the student.

Use During School-Sponsored Activities Before and After the School Day

Students may use or access personal electronic communication devices during school-sponsored activities, programs, or events occurring before and after the regular school day, subject to district-approved procedures, event-specific rules, and staff direction.

Enforcement and Disciplinary Action

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the district’s student code of conduct. Disciplinary measures may include, but are not limited to, confiscation of the device through the end of the school day, referral to administration for determination of appropriate consequence, parental notification, or other appropriate disciplinary response, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion from school. Discipline shall be applied in a nondiscriminatory manner and shall not interfere with rights provided under an IEP, 504 plan, or applicable law.

Administrative Procedures and Directives

The superintendent or designee(s) may develop administrative procedures and provide directives necessary to ensure consistent implementation of this policy and any board approved regulations and handbooks across district buildings, so long as such procedures and directives are not in conflict with board approved policy, regulation, or handbook language.

2-Way Messaging in USD 418

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the district's cell phone policy changing?

What does this cell phone ban include?

McPherson Public Schools students will not be allowed to have or use any personal electronic communication device on any public school campus between the start and end of the school day. In accordance with Kansas law, this includes during lunch and during passing periods. In our district, the school day is:
McPherson High School and McPherson Middle School
M, Tu, Th, F - 7:50AM - 3:10PM
W - 7:50AM - 2:35PM

Elementary Schools
M, Tu, Th, F - 8:05AM - 3:05PM
W - 8:05AM - 2:30PM

What is considered a "personal communication device" under Kansas law?

This term is defined in the law to include any wireless electronic communication device that provides for voice, text or video communication between two or more parties. This includes a mobile or cellular phone, tablet, computer, watch, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging device or personal digital assistant, among others. The law does not restrict devices that students receive from the school district, such as the Chromebooks or laptops used in our schools. These are allowed and should be brought to school for learning activities, as in the past.

Can students have their phones with them if they do not use them?

What if my child needs to contact me during the day?

What if I need to contact my child during the day?

What if there is an emergency situation at the school?

The law that was passed in Topeka does not provide an exception for emergencies. Rest assured, in an urgent situation or safety concern on campus, information will be sent through the standard channels, including email and text messages to all parents, guardians, caregivers and other emergency contacts provided during registration/enrollment.

If you have questions about how you will receive these updates or need to update your contact information, please call your child’s school office for assistance.

What if my student has a medical issue that requires them to use a device?

What if my student has another special need that requires use of a device?

What if a student leaves for an appointment or other excused absence?

Can students use their phones when they are traveling for internships, field trips, off-site academic experiences and/or extracurricular activities?

The law explicitly prohibits students from accessing or using personal devices during the school day while on campus. Our procedure for off-campus learning experiences will be communicated soon. Please contact your child’s teacher, coach or principal if you have questions or concerns about the access to or use of a personal electronic communication device in a specific off-campus situation.

What if a student doesn’t follow the rules?

What can families do to help?

Please encourage students to follow this new expectation and share some of the benefits that come from a less distracted learning environment. Working together, we hope to minimize additional disruptions to their school day that could come from non-compliance or disciplinary procedures.

Parents, caregivers and students are all encouraged to review the handbook policy about device use at school. This can be found in the 2026-2027 student handbooks.

Where should I direct my questions about device use and the new rules?