South Dakota Senate Approves School Cellphone Ban

The bill now heads to the House after a 19-15 vote in the Senate.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The South Dakota Senate has voted 19-15 to approve legislation that would ban student cellphone use during the school day, unless the use is for a health or educational purpose. The bill will now move to the House committee for consideration.

Why it matters

This legislation aims to address concerns about cellphones causing student distraction, declining academic performance, and negative mental health impacts. However, opponents argue that the decision should be left to local school boards to determine what works best for their students and educators.

The details

Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, introduced the bill, stating that the current situation is "uneven" with some classrooms enforcing restrictions while others leave it up to teachers to manage alone. The Department of Education has said it would include the policy requirement in its school accreditation process if the bill becomes law, but would not actively monitor students or schools to ensure enforcement.

  • The South Dakota Senate voted on the bill on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The bill will now head to a House committee for further consideration.

The players

Chris Karr

Republican Senate President Pro Tempore from Sioux Falls, who introduced the legislation.

Stephanie Sauder

Republican Senator from Bryant, who opposed the bill, arguing that the decision should be left to local school boards.

Joe Graves

Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education, who stated the department would include the policy requirement in its school accreditation process if the bill is signed into law.

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What they’re saying

“What we have today is uneven. In some classrooms, teachers enforce restrictions, and others, they're left to manage alone. That inconsistency is frustrating for educators, confusing for families and does not provide the best learning environment for our children.”

— Chris Karr, Senate President Pro Tempore (South Dakota Searchlight)

“It's not just about phones. From my perspective, it's about our trust in local control, as well as trust in our school boards. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation.”

— Stephanie Sauder, Senator (South Dakota Searchlight)

What’s next

The bill will now head to a House committee for further consideration before potentially being signed into law.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the ongoing debate over the role of cellphones in schools and the balance between state-level policies and local control. While proponents argue that a statewide ban could improve student focus and well-being, opponents believe that school boards should have the flexibility to determine the best approach for their communities.