SB 198 South Dakota Senate · 2026 Regular Session

restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.

SB 198 restricts student cell phone use during instructional time in South Dakota public schools. The bill prohibits students from using cell phones unless they have an approved medical or educational accommodation, or during an emergency affecting health/safety. School districts must create policies outlining disciplinary actions for violations. This directly affects all K-12 students in South Dakota public schools during the school day as defined by each district.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 29, 2026 Last action Mar 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Senate Education Engrossed · 4 edits · Feb 10, 2026
MODERATE
This bill introduces a new statewide restriction prohibiting students from using cell phones during the school day. It establishes specific exceptions for medical needs, educational accommodations, and emergencies, and requires school boards to create policies outlining disciplinary actions for violations.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope by adding a new section to Chapter 13-32, creating a specific prohibition on cell phone use that did not previously exist in this text.
REQUIREMENT

Prohibits students from using cell phones during the school day unless specific exceptions apply.

Mandates that school boards adopt policies defining disciplinary actions for students who violate the cell phone ban.

Allows cell phone use during emergencies affecting the health, safety, or well-being of students or staff.

ELIGIBILITY

Creates exemptions for students requiring cell phones for medical or educational accommodations.

Floor votes · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 28, NAYS 39 H.J. 524
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
House of Representatives Motion to amend , Passed, H.J. 524 Amendment 198C
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 , Passed, YEAS 50, NAYS 17 H.J. 508
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Education Report out of committee without recommendation , Passed,
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recalled from committee (Rule 7-7) , Passed, H.J. 485
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Education Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 7
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Education H.J. 356
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 19, NAYS 15 S.J. 281
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 , Passed, YEAS 19, NAYS 14 S.J. 247
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Education Report out of committee without recommendation as amended , Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 2 S.J. 9
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Education Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 3, NAYS 4 S.J. 9
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
Education Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 9 Amendment 198A
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Education Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 3, NAYS 4 S.J. 9
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Education S.J. 139
upper
7 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors