July 14, 2025
Written by Shawn McLain
New Missouri Law Requires School Districts and Charter Schools to Adopt Policies Restricting Student Use of Electronic Personal Communication Devices
On July 9, 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed into law Senate Bill 68, a comprehensive education bill that included a new requirement that school districts have a policy banning student display and use of personal electronic devices during school hours.
Specifically, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district and charter school in Missouri is required by law to implement a written policy regarding students’ possession and use of electronic personal devices during school hours.
Key Requirements of the New Law (Section 162.207 RSMo)
Under the new law, the adopted policy must:
- Explicitly prohibit students from displaying or using electronic personal communication devices, such as cell phones, from the start to the end of the school day, including instructional time, meal times, breaks, time between classes, and during study halls.
- Describe the disciplinary procedures and consequences for violations of the policy.
- Provide exceptions allowing students to display and use devices if necessary for compliance with individualized education plans (IEPs), Section 504 plans, Individualized Health Care Plans, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 regarding English language learners.
- Include provisions allowing device use in case of an emergency (e.g., fire, tornado, or earthquake; active shooter; evacuation of school grounds; medical emergencies; and any other serious, unexpected, or dangerous situation) and for educational purposes when directed by school personnel with authorization as directed by established board policies.
Each school district and charter school governing board must publish the policy on its website.
Additionally, the new law states that employees and volunteers acting in good faith to enforce these policies are provided with immunity from liability under the new law.
Practical Guidance and Next Steps
Below are a few points of practical guidance and considerations that school districts and charter schools may want to consider:
- Review existing policies to identify necessary updates or changes. Consult legal counsel when drafting or reviewing policy language, particularly provisions related to students with disabilities.
- Provide professional development to ensure all staff are familiar with any new policy and clearly understand exceptions and enforcement.
- Communicate policy details and exceptions clearly to students, families, and community stakeholders to avoid confusion and potential disputes.
- Decisions regarding students’ use of personal electronic devices for purposes of an IEP or Section 504 plan should continue to be individualized and based on each student’s specific needs as determined by their IEP team or Section 504 committee.
- School administration should thoroughly document the scope of any permitted use of an electronic personal communication device and notify parents and guardians of the documented scope of permitted use.
- Expect more frequent requests for exceptions to the prohibition on personal electronic device use as students and families increasingly rely on advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), in personal electronic devices. Prepare to handle these requests proactively as the educational and personal use of AI continues to expand.
This new law presents an important opportunity to revisit and strengthen approaches to managing student use of electronic devices and technology in the school environment.
We’re Here to Help
We will examine this update to the law and many others in greater detail during our upcoming School Law Summer Seminars that will be held at multiple locations throughout Missouri between July 29, 2025, and August 8, 2025.
If you have questions about district technology policies and practices or developing and administering training on these topics, please contact Shawn McLain or any member of our Education Law team at Mickes O’Toole.
