HB 2978 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Limits the use of technology for student learning practices in elementary schools

HB 2978 limits technology use in Missouri elementary schools (K-5) by capping digital instruction at 45 minutes daily, requiring 70% of assignments to use paper/pencil, and mandating daily access to printed books. The bill prohibits replacing handwriting, cursive instruction (starting in grade 2), or physical manipulatives in core subjects with digital tools, and bans required technology homework or student device carry. Schools must adopt written policies on screen time, report annual compliance, and publish cursive instruction plans, with requirements effective for the 2027-28 school year. It directly affects K-5 students, teachers, and school districts.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 18, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 18 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and Read First Time (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Marlene Terry
Marlene Terry
DDemocratic
MO
66