Back to Indiana

HB1034 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Jake Teshka
Last action
2026-01-08
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on enforcement, consequences for rule-breaking, implementation timeline, and funding sources.

Rules for Cell Phones in Schools

This bill changes Indiana's rules about cell phones in schools by requiring each school to create its own policy that stops students from using or having cell phones during the day, unless a teacher says it’s okay and only on school-provided devices.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes what 'wireless communication device' means in Indiana laws.
  • Requires every public and charter school to create rules about when and how students can use wireless communication devices like cell phones during the day.
  • Says that if a teacher wants to use these devices for learning, it must be on school-provided devices only.
  • Mandates schools to either ban all devices or have a secure storage system where students keep their devices safely out of sight during class time.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Public and charter schools in Indiana
  • Students who attend these schools

Terms To Know

wireless communication device
A portable electronic device that can send or receive information without wires, like a cell phone.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if students break the rules about using their devices.
  • It is unclear how schools will enforce these new policies.
  • There are no details on when this law would start or who pays for school-provided devices.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-08 House

    Representatives Commons, Smith H added as coauthors

  2. 2025-12-01 House

    Authored by Representative Teshka

  3. 2025-12-01 House

    Coauthored by Representative McGuire

  4. 2025-12-01 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Education

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.
Student cellular telephone use.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

Student cellular telephone use.

Amends the definition of "wireless communication device." Requires each school corporation and charter school to adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using or possessing a wireless communication device during the school day; (2) requires teacher directed use of a wireless communication device for educational purposes during the school day to occur only on school supplied wireless communication devices; and (3) mandates the use of a no device policy or a secure storage policy. Creates certain exceptions to a wireless communication device policy. Requires the department of education to publish model policy language and implementation guidance.