An Act to repeal 120.12 (29); to amend 115.28 (38), 119.04 (1) and 120.12 (29) (title); to create 120.12 (30) of the statutes; Relating to: policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during the school day in public schools.
SB957 revises Wisconsin’s school-cellphone policy framework for public schools. Under current law created by 2025 Wisconsin Act 42, school boards must adopt policies generally prohibiting pupil use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. This bill would replace that requirement, effective July 1, 2027, with a broader mandate that school boards adopt policies generally prohibiting use of wireless communication devices during the entire school day, including instructional time, recess, class transitions, and lunch periods.
The bill defines “wireless communication device” to include portable devices capable of voice, messaging, or other data communication, specifically naming cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and gaming devices. It preserves the existing exceptions for emergencies or perceived threats, health-care needs, use required by an individualized education program or Section 504 plan, and teacher-authorized educational use during instructional time. It also allows school boards to adopt more restrictive rules, including storage pouches, bans on possession on school premises during the school day, and confiscation for the remainder of the day as a consequence for violations. Districts would have to provide the policy to pupils annually and submit the policy, and later updates, to the Department of Public Instruction.
In state law, SB957 would repeal the current instructional-time-only policy requirement in s. 120.12 (29) and create a new s. 120.12 (30) with the expanded school-day prohibition. It also updates related cross-references in school reporting and applicability statutes so the new policy requirement is incorporated into the statutory framework for public school districts. The bill’s effective-date structure delays the main policy change until July 1, 2027, giving districts time to adjust policies and procedures.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill materials is supportive of tighter restrictions on student device use during school, with the proposal presented as a refinement and expansion of an already-enacted policy rather than a wholesale new concept. However, the bill failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not advance to enactment despite the policy direction.
The main point of contention is the breadth of the restriction. The bill expands the prohibition from instructional time to the full school day, which affects recess, lunch, and passing periods, and it also authorizes more restrictive local options such as storage pouches or bans on possession. Likely concerns include student discipline, implementation burden, local control, and how the broader ban interacts with exceptions for health, special education, and educational use.
SB957 would amend Wisconsin statutes governing public school board policies on wireless communication devices by replacing the current instructional-time prohibition with a school-day prohibition beginning July 1, 2027. It would repeal the existing s. 120.12 (29), create a new s. 120.12 (30), and conform related reporting and applicability provisions in ss. 115.28 and 119.04. The bill would require school boards to adopt, distribute, and periodically update device-use policies and submit them to the Department of Public Instruction, while allowing more restrictive local policies.
The bill appears to have been introduced in a generally favorable policy environment for restricting student cellphone use in schools, building on an existing statutory framework. The discussion materials do not show recorded committee testimony or votes, but the bill’s failure to pass indicates it did not secure enough support to become law. Overall, the sentiment is best characterized as supportive of stronger restrictions, but not sufficiently settled to overcome legislative hurdles.
The central controversy is whether schools should prohibit wireless device use only during instructional time or throughout the entire school day. Opponents or skeptics would likely focus on the expanded scope covering recess, lunch, and passing periods, while supporters would emphasize reduced distractions and clearer enforcement. Additional points of contention include the optional use of pouches or possession bans, the burden on districts to implement and report policies, and ensuring exceptions for emergencies, health care, special education, and teacher-directed educational use are workable.