LANSING, Mich. – A bill aimed at keeping cellphones out of classrooms was signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark Tisdel, R–Rochester Hills, was passed by wide bipartisan margins in both the House and the Senate. Whitmer signed the bill on Feb. 10, 2026.
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--> Michigan House passes bill to ban cellphone use during class in K-12 schools
House Bill 4141 had previously stalled in July, when it received support from Republicans but no backing from Democrats, despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer naming classroom cellphone restrictions as a priority in her 2025 State of the State address, according to Tisdel’s office in a release about the bill.
Under the bill, K–12 public school students will be barred from using smartphones during instructional time.
However, students will still be allowed to use their devices between classes and during lunch, a provision intended to let them communicate with family and coordinate after-school activities.
Traditional flip phones are exempt, as are situations involving medical needs or emergencies.
The legislation also preserves local control by allowing schools to adopt stricter cellphone policies if they choose.
Tisdel said the goal is to curb distractions and address concerns about excessive phone use among children.
“Every parent knows that phones are addictive devices,” Tisdel said. “We’ve got to give kids their childhood back.”
Whitmer said on Tuesday that schools will need to create an action plan next Fall to keep phones out of instructional time.