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SB 281 Kansas Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Substitute for Substitute for SB 281 by Committee on Education - Requiring school districts to prohibit the use of personal electronic communication devices during school hours, prohibiting any employee of a school district from using social media to directly communicate with any student for official school purposes.

SB 281 ends Kansas' low-income family postsecondary savings program after 2027 by removing the treasurer's authority to accept new applications starting in 2028. It reduces the annual grant cap from 1,200 to 1,000 applications per year (for 2025-2027) and eliminates all future audits of withdrawals after 2027. The bill directly affects low-income Kansas families (with household income ≤200% of federal poverty level) who previously qualified for state-matched savings grants. Key changes include halting new enrollments after 2027, lowering annual grant limits, and ending the requirement for retrospective audits of withdrawals.
Issues: ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds Kansas' low-income postsecondary savings program by ending state-matched grants, reducing annual applications, and eliminating audits, directly cutting government spending on this initiative.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill terminates Kansas' low-income postsecondary savings program after 2027, reduces annual grant caps from 1,200 to 1,000, and eliminates audits - directly defunding and limiting educational access for qualifying families.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts personal electronic devices and social media use in schools, directly limiting technology access in educational settings per title.90% confidence
Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Apr 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → {As Amended by House Committee of the Whole} · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was completely replaced with a new version. The original bill, which established savings accounts and grants for postsecondary education, was removed. The new bill prohibits students from using personal electronic devices during school hours and restricts school employees from communicating with students on social media platforms.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed entirely from financial aid for education to student conduct and digital communication policies within schools.
SCOPE

Removed all provisions regarding the Kansas postsecondary education savings program, ABLE savings accounts, and related trust funds.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for school boards to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal electronic communication devices during school hours.

Added requirements for school boards to adopt policies prohibiting school employees from privately communicating with students via social media, texting, or telephone.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'personal electronic communication device' and 'social media platform' to clarify what is covered by the restrictions.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a provision stating that school districts are not liable for lost or damaged personal electronic devices brought onto school premises.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective session from 2025 to 2026 and set a compliance deadline of September 1, 2026.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
18
Committee
12
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Ruled materially changed and referred to Senate Committee on Education
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Final Action - Substitute passed as amended; Yea 75, Nay 48, Absent 2
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Substitute bill be passed as amended
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Rep. Suzanne Wikle
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Rep. Carolyn Caiharr
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to rise and report adopted. Bill remains on General Orders.
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Rep. Jerry Stogsdill
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Rep. Kyle McNorton was adopted
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Rep. Kyle McNorton
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Rep. Brett Fairchild was adopted
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Rep. Brett Fairchild
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Rep. Jill Ward was adopted
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Rep. Jill Ward
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted recommending substitute bill be passed
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending substitute bill be passed by House Committee on Education
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Education
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Received and Introduced
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Emergency Final Action - Substitute passed; Yea 40, Nay 0
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Substitute bill be passed
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted recommending substitute bill be passed
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending substitute bill be passed by Senate Committee on Government Efficiency
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Government Efficiency; Referred to Senate Committee on Government Efficiency
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Education
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.