South Dakota House Rejects Statewide School Cell Phone Ban

Lawmakers say issue should be decided at local level, not by state mandate

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The South Dakota House of Representatives voted down a proposed statewide ban on cell phones in schools, with opponents arguing that most districts already have their own policies in place and the decision should be left to local school boards.

Why it matters

The debate over cell phone use in classrooms has been an ongoing issue, with some advocating for bans to limit distractions, while others argue that phones can serve educational purposes. This vote indicates that South Dakota lawmakers believe the decision is best made at the local level rather than through a statewide mandate.

The details

The bill was initially voted down twice in a committee hearing earlier this week by a one-vote margin, but was then "smoked out" on Tuesday after an amendment was added. On Thursday, the full House officially rejected the proposed statewide ban in a 39-to-28 vote. Opponents argued that most school districts in the state already have their own cell phone policies in place and the issue should be determined locally, not through a state law.

  • The bill was voted down twice in a committee hearing on Monday.
  • The bill was "smoked out" on Tuesday after an amendment was added.
  • The House officially killed the bill on Thursday with a 39-to-28 vote.

The players

South Dakota House of Representatives

The legislative body that voted down the proposed statewide school cell phone ban.

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The takeaway

This vote suggests that South Dakota lawmakers believe decisions about cell phone policies in schools are best made at the local level by individual school districts, rather than through a one-size-fits-all state mandate. The debate over balancing educational technology with classroom disruptions continues to play out across the country.