LB 140 Legislature · 109th Legislature (2025-2026)

Require school policies relating to use of electronic communication devices by students

LB 140 requires Nebraska public school districts to adopt policies governing student use of electronic devices (like phones and tablets) on school property or during school activities. The policy must generally prohibit device use, except for specific exceptions: students' individualized education plans (IEPs), approved educational activities, emergencies, health monitoring, or school authorization. School boards must develop these policies with input from students, parents, and educators. The law takes effect before the 2025-26 school year and applies directly to all public school districts in Nebraska.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Legislature Passage
May 2025
Legislature Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Signed May 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Final Reading · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add additional sponsors and update the reading status to Final Reading. The policy requirements were expanded to include 'school instructional functions' alongside 'school property,' broadening the scope of where device restrictions apply. Definitions were slightly adjusted for clarity, and exemptions were modified to allow devices during instructional time when authorized by the school district rather than just individual teachers.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include school instructional functions in addition to school property, broadening the locations where electronic communication device restrictions apply.
SCOPE

Added additional sponsors (Hardin, 48; Conrad, 46) to the bill introduction.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded policy requirements to include 'school instructional functions' alongside 'school property' where device restrictions must be established.

DEFINITION

Adjusted formatting and wording in the definition of 'electronic communication device' for clarity.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the exemption for educational use from requiring teacher authorization to allowing authorization by the school district during instructional time.

Floor votes · Legislature Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

440
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 3, 2025
N Nonpartisan49
44 Yea 5
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
5
Committee
2
May 21, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on May 20, 2025
executive
May 14, 2025
Legislature · Passed
President/Speaker signed
legislature
May 14, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 48-1*-0
legislature
Mar 3, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Education AM203 adopted
legislature
Feb 11, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Placed on General File with AM203
legislature
Jan 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education Committee
legislature
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced
Date of introduction
legislature
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors