South Dakota Senate Approves Bill to Ban Cellphones in Schools

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Senate voted 19-15 on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, to approve legislation that would ban student cellphone use during the school day, with exceptions for health or educational purposes. The bill now advances to a House committee for consideration.

Addressing Distraction and Academic Concerns

The bill, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, aims to address concerns about student distraction and the negative impact of cellphones on academic performance and mental health. Karr stated the current situation is “uneven,” with inconsistent enforcement of cellphone restrictions across classrooms, creating frustration for educators and families .

Local Control Debate

The legislation has sparked debate over the balance between state control and local control in education policy. Opponents, including State Senator Stephanie Sauder, R-Bryant, argue that school boards are best positioned to make decisions regarding cellphone use based on the specific needs of their students and communities. Sauder emphasized that the issue extends beyond cellphones, representing a matter of “trust in local control” .

Department of Education’s Role

Joe Graves, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education, indicated that the department would incorporate the policy requirement into the school accreditation process if the bill is signed into law. However, the department will not actively monitor schools or students to ensure enforcement .

National Trend

This legislation is part of a growing national trend of states considering or enacting restrictions on student cellphone use in schools .

What’s Next

The bill will next be considered by a House committee before potentially moving to a full House vote.