Minnesota Senate considers statewide cellphone ban in schools

The Minnesota Senate is set to discuss a bill that would implement a statewide ban on cell phones for elementary and middle school students and restrict their use in high school classrooms. If passed, the legislation, known as Senate File 508, would take effect in the 2026-27 school year and includes exceptions for medical use and individualized education programs. The bill is a response to concerns about the negative impacts of cell phone use on student performance and mental health, reflecting similar initiatives in other states like Florida and Indiana. Co-sponsored by both Democratic and Republican senators, the bill aims to provide a unified policy across Minnesota, where many districts have already adopted their own restrictions. The proposal is currently awaiting its first hearing in the Senate Committee on Education Policy. There is no companion bill in the House yet, and support for the legislation remains uncertain.