1/27/2026

LANSING - With broad bipartisan support, the Michigan House has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban cell phone use during classroom instruction.

The proposal includes some exceptions, but lawmakers say they would be very infrequent. The bill would also allow school districts to adopt stricter policies if they choose. State Senator Dayna Polehanki of Livonia sponsored the Senate version of the legislation and helped craft the emergency provisions.

                    0:15  "There is a very important carve-out for emergency situations, that I made sure was in there. There are also exceptions for things like medical devices, district-issued laptops, some lessons."

The measure, introduced in the House by Republican Representative Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills, passed by a wide margin after the Senate approved the package on a 34-to-1 vote. If signed into law, it would prohibit smartphone use during instructional time for all K-12 public school students, starting in the 2026 and 27 school year.