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.
SB 350 establishes grade-level rules for school-issued digital devices in Kansas public schools (K-12), directly affecting students, schools, and parents. It bans digital devices entirely for K-5 (requiring print-based instruction), restricts shared device use with time limits (max 1 hour/day) and blocks social media for grades 6-8, and allows issued devices for grades 9-12 with strict safety settings (blocking social media, disabling cameras, limiting use to 90 minutes/day). The bill mandates schools to provide media literacy instruction on digital health risks and requires parental opt-out for device issuance, home use, or digital testing. Schools must delete personal data between student uses and maintain safety standards for all devices.
HB 2421 requires Kansas school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to prohibit students from using personal electronic devices (like phones or tablets) during school hours, with exceptions for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or medical needs approved by a licensed healthcare provider. It also bans school staff from using social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat) to communicate directly with students for school purposes, allowing only public, one-way communications. Schools must report the average screen time for kindergarten and grades 1-4 students during a typical school day, starting September 2026, using aggregate data without personally identifiable information. The law applies to in-person schools but excludes virtual schools and does not restrict school-issued devices like tablets.
SB 154 requires Kansas school districts to create policies banning students from using personal electronic devices (like phones or tablets) during school hours, except for special education plans, teacher-approved educational use, or health/emergency reasons. It also mandates that schools prohibit students from accessing social media platforms on school-owned computers or devices. The bill directs school boards to establish clear disciplinary consequences for violations and defines "social media" as platforms where users share content with others. These policies directly affect all K-12 students and school staff in Kansas public schools.
HB 2259 requires Kansas public school districts to adopt policies banning students' personal phones and tablets during instructional hours, with exceptions for special education plans, teacher-approved educational use, or health emergencies. It also mandates the state education board to create an annual social media awareness period, developing age-appropriate materials teaching students about social media risks (like misinformation and mental health impacts), safe usage (privacy, identifying predators), and benefits (career building, connecting with others). The policy directly affects all public school students and districts, as well as nonpublic schools through shared state materials. This bill implements concrete changes to school device policies and integrates social media education into curricula, without specifying enforcement details or outcomes.
HB 2186 requires Kansas school districts to adopt policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like phones or tablets) during all school hours, including class time and passing periods, with limited exceptions for students with IEPs/504 plans, teacher-approved educational use, or health/emergency needs. It also mandates policies prohibiting students from accessing social media platforms on school-issued computers or devices. The bill directly affects all public school students and requires school boards to establish clear disciplinary consequences for violations. Key mechanisms include defining "privately owned devices" and "social media platforms" to ensure consistent implementation. The law takes effect upon publication in the statute book.
