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MS HB46

MS HB46
Public schools; require school boards to adopt policy on bell-to-bell cell phone prohibition.

summary

Introduced
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Require Local School Boards To Develop And Public Schools Located Within The School District To Implement Age-appropriate And Developmentally-appropriate Policies Relating To Student Cell Phone Possession And Use On School Property During The Academic School Day From Bell-to-bell; To Specify The Minimum Provisions To Be Contained In Each School Cell Phone-free Education Policy Applicable To Elementary, Middle And High School Students; To Prescribe Exceptions To Possession; To Prohibit Students From Being Suspended Or Expelled As A Consequence Of Any Violation Of Such Policies; To Require School Districts To Establish Procedures For Off-site Events; To Require School Boards To Make Its Policy Publicly Available And Posted Prominently On The School District's Website; To Require School Boards, When Designing Its Cell Phone-free Education Policy, To Incorporate School-based Emergency Best Practices In Its Comprehensive School Safety Plan; To Provide For The Construction Of This Act; To Amend Sections 37-11-55 And 37-11-57, Mississippi Code Of 1972, In Conformity To The Preceding Provisions Regarding The Prohibition On Suspending Or Expelling Students For Being In Violation Of The Cell Phone Possession Policy; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill requires local school boards to develop and public schools to implement age-appropriate policies restricting student cell phone and personal electronic communication device use during the academic school day, from the first bell to the last, a period referred to as "bell-to-bell." These policies must aim to eliminate or restrict cell phone use in classrooms during instructional hours, regulate use outside classrooms to minimize distractions and bullying, and ensure enforcement by school administration without involving school resource officers. Exceptions are made for students with health concerns or those requiring accommodations under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan. Importantly, students cannot be suspended or expelled solely for violating these cell phone policies, and school districts must establish procedures for off-site events. The policies must be publicly available and incorporated into school safety plans, including emergency communication procedures. The bill also amends existing laws to explicitly state that violating cell phone policies alone is not sufficient grounds for suspension or expulsion.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

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