KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB2520 • 2026

Personal electronic device; restrict use in classroom.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON CAMPUS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Education
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Chism
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not include information about specific penalties for violating the policy, nor does it detail how schools should manage exceptions other than those mentioned.

Limiting Use of Personal Electronic Devices in Schools

This bill allows school districts to ban the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during instructional time on campus.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines 'personal electronic device' as any device that can connect to a phone network or internet, like smartwatches, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses.
  • Requires each local public school district to create rules by July 1, 2027, prohibiting students from using cell phones and personal electronic devices during instructional time on campus.
  • Allows exceptions for emergencies and health monitoring needs.
  • Requires schools to report their policies to the Department of Education.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Local public school districts
  • Students who use personal electronic devices at school

Terms To Know

Personal Electronic Device
A device that can connect to a phone network or internet, such as smartwatches, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses.
Bell to Bell
The time between the start of school until the end of instructional time at the dismissal bell.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill did not pass in its session.
  • School districts would need to create and enforce their own policies by a certain date if it were to become law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (S) Referred To Education

Official Summary Text

Personal electronic device; restrict use in classroom.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S. B. No. 2520 *SS36/R1148* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R1148
PAGE 1 (rdd\kr)

To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Chism

SENATE BILL NO. 2520

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF 1
CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON CAMPUS; AND FOR 2
RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section: 5
(a) "Bell to bell" means the time between the first 6
bell ringing at the start of the school day to begin instructional 7
time until the dismissal bell at the end of the school day to end 8
instructional time; and 9
(b) "Personal electronic device" means a personal 10
device capable of connecting to a smart phone, the internet, or a 11
cellular or Wi-Fi network, or directly connecting to another 12
similar device. Personal electronic devices include, but are not 13
limited to, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets, and 14
smart glasses. "Personal electronic devices" shall not include 15
school-issued or school approved devices that are specifically 16
limited for use in classroom instruction. 17
S. B. No. 2520 *SS36/R1148* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1148
PAGE 2 (rdd\kr)
ST: Personal electronic device; restrict use in
classroom.
(2) By July 1, 2027, each local public school district shall 18
adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones and 19
personal electronic devices while on the campus of a local public 20
school district from bell to bell. The policy shall include 21
disciplinary procedures for violations. 22
(3) The policy adopted pursuant to subsection (2) of this 23
section may provide for exceptions including, but not limited to: 24
(a) Emergency use of cell phones or personal electronic 25
devices by students during the school day; and 26
(b) Use of cell phones or personal electronic devices 27
by students who use them to monitor health issues. 28
(4) By no later than October 1, 2027, each local public 29
school district shall submit a copy of the policy adopted pursuant 30
to subsection (b) of this section, or if applicable, a policy that 31
is more restrictive than what is required under this subsection, 32
to the Department of Education. 33
(5) By no later than October 1, 2027, and each October 1 34
thereafter, each local public school district shall notify the 35
Department of Education changes made to the policy adopted 36
pursuant to subsection (b) of this section in the previous school 37
year, and if changes were made, submit the updated policy to the 38
Department of Education. 39
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 40
and after July 1, 2026. 41