SB 234 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Education: students; wireless communications device policy; require the board of a school district or board of directors of a public school academy to implement. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1304.

SB 234 requires Michigan public school districts and public school academies to create and implement policies limiting student cell phone use during school hours starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The policy must restrict phones during instructional time, breaks, lunch, and recess, while requiring exceptions for emergencies, medical devices, and students with disabilities (as required by law). Schools must detail enforcement methods and post the policy on their websites. This directly affects all Michigan K-12 public schools and their governing boards. The bill does not ban phones outright but mandates structured policies to reduce classroom distractions.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 22, 2025 Last action May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate Substitute (S-1) · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill underwent minor formatting and metadata updates during its amendment process, with no substantive policy changes to the wireless device policy requirements for Michigan schools. The core provisions regarding school district obligations to develop wireless communication policies remain unchanged.
TECHNICAL

Header formatting adjustments including spacing changes in the bill title and amendment identifiers

Document tracking numbers and version identifiers were updated from 'tm6805' to 'y27dgu' in the footer metadata

Minor whitespace and indentation changes in the legislative text formatting

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2025

How they voted

2810
Passed
Total votes 38
May 6, 2025
D Democratic19
19 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
9 Yea 10 Nay
52% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 6, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Education and Workforce
lower
May 6, 2025
Introduced
received on 05/06/2025
lower
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 78 YEAS 28 NAYS 9 EXCUSED 0 NOT VOTING 0
upper
May 6, 2025
Amended
AMENDMENT(S) DEFEATED
upper
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
SUBSTITUTE (S-1) CONCURRED IN
upper
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1) 4/29/2025
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR DAYNA POLEHANKI
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors