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SB198 • 2026

restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.

restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.

Education Technology
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Karr
Last action
2026-03-05
Official status
Motion to amend
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.

restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.

What This Bill Does

  • restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.
  • Official keyword topics: Education School Districts Students Technology Telecommunications Official sponsor note: Senators <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4773/Detail">Karr</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4781/Detail">Larson</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4800/Detail">Perry</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4828/Detail">Voight</a> and Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4808/Detail">Rehfeldt</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4731/Detail">Andera</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4761/Detail">Heinemann</a>

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

198A

None

Filed

Plain English: 198A 101st Legislative Session 198 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 198 Introduced by: Senator Karr Underscores indicate new language.

  • 198A 101st Legislative Session 198 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 198 Introduced by: Senator Karr Underscores indicate new language.
  • Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
  • AMENDMENT 198A FOR THE INTRODUCED BILL An Act to restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during instructional time the 1 school day.
  • 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 3 Section 1.
198B

None

Filed

Plain English: 198B 101st Legislative Session 198 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 198 Introduced by: Senator Karr This bill has been extensively amended (hoghoused) and may no longer be consistent with the original intention of the sponsor.

  • 198B 101st Legislative Session 198 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 198 Introduced by: Senator Karr This bill has been extensively amended (hoghoused) and may no longer be consistent with the original intention of the sponsor.
  • Underscores indicate new language.
  • Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
  • AMENDMENT 198B FOR THE SENATE EDUCATION ENGROSSED BILL An Act to restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day provide 1 for the establishment of charter schools.
198C

None

Filed

Plain English: 198C 101st Legislative Session 198 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 198 Introduced by: Senator Karr Underscores indicate new language.

  • 198C 101st Legislative Session 198 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 198 Introduced by: Senator Karr Underscores indicate new language.
  • Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
  • AMENDMENT 198C FOR THE SENATE EDUCATION ENGROSSED BILL An Act to restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.
  • 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 2 Section 1.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-05 House of Representatives

    Do Pass Amended

  2. 2026-03-05 House of Representatives

    Motion to amend

  3. 2026-03-04 House of Representatives

    Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6

  4. 2026-03-03 House of Representatives

    Recalled from committee (Rule 7-7) House Education

  5. 2026-03-03 House Education

    Report out of committee without recommendation

  6. 2026-03-02 House Education

    Deferred to the 41st legislative day

  7. 2026-03-02 House Education

    Scheduled for hearing

  8. 2026-02-25 House Education

    Scheduled for hearing

  9. 2026-02-18 House of Representatives

    First read in House and referred to House Education

  10. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Do Pass Amended

  11. 2026-02-11 Senate

    Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6

  12. 2026-02-10 Senate Education

    Do Pass

  13. 2026-02-10 Senate Education

    Do Pass Amended

  14. 2026-02-10 Senate Education

    Motion to amend

  15. 2026-02-10 Senate Education

    Report out of committee without recommendation as amended

  16. 2026-02-10 Senate Education

    Scheduled for hearing

  17. 2026-01-29 Senate

    First read in Senate and referred to Senate Education

Official Summary Text

restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.
Official keyword topics:
Education
School Districts
Students
Technology
Telecommunications
Official sponsor note: Senators <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4773/Detail">Karr</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4781/Detail">Larson</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4800/Detail">Perry</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4828/Detail">Voight</a> and Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4808/Detail">Rehfeldt</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4731/Detail">Andera</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4761/Detail">Heinemann</a>

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
26.628.11 101st Legislative Session 198

2026 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Bill 198
SENATE EDUCATION ENGROSSED

Introduced by: Senator Karr

Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
An Act to restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day. 1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 2
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 13-32: 3
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a student may not use a cell phone 4
during the school day, as set by the board of the school district pursuant to § 13-26-1. 5
A student may use a cell phone during the school day if: 6
(1) The use of a cell phone is required or permitted as part of an approved medical or 7
educational accommodation; or 8
(2) The use of a cell phone is required during an emergency affecting the health, 9
safety, or well-being of a student or staff member. 10
The board of each school district shall adopt a policy that sets forth disciplinary 11
actions for student noncompliance. 12