Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: April 14, 2025 Contact: Emily Hicks, Staff Attorney
2025 Senate Bill 29 Senate Amendment 1
Under current law, a school board may adopt rules prohibiting a student from possessing an electronic
communication device while on premises owned or rented by, or under the control of, a public school. If
a school board adopts such rules, it must annually provide each student enrolled in the school district
with a copy of the rules.
2025 SENATE BILL 29
2025 Senate Bill 29 requires all public school boards, by July 1, 2026, to adopt a policy that prohibits
students from using a wireless communication device during instructional time. The policy must define
“wireless communication device” as a portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice,
messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties, and the policy must specify that
a wireless communication device includes a cellular telephone, a table computer, a laptop computer,
and a gaming device. The policy must include the following exceptions to the prohibition:
In the event of an emergency or perceived threat.
To manage the student’s health care.
A use included in a student’s individualized education program or a plan developed under section
504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
A use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes during instructional time.
Also, the bill allows a school district’s policy to include additional exceptions if the school board
determines doing so is beneficial to student learning or well-being.
SENATE AMENDMENT 1
Senate Amendment 1 makes the following changes to the bill:
Repeals the provision in current law discussed above that specifies that each school board may
adopt rules prohibiting a student from possessing an electronic communication device while on
premises owned or rented by, or under the control of, a public school.
Excludes school district-issued wireless communication devices from being required to be
prohibited by school board policy.
Removes the ability for a school board to include additional exceptions to the prohibition when the
school board determines that doing so is beneficial to student learning or well-being.
Requires each school board to annually provide each student with a copy of the board’s wireless
communication device policy.
By October 1, 2026, requires each school board to submit the district’s device policy to the
Department of Public Instruction (DPI). - 2 -
By October 1, 2027, and each October 1 thereafter, requires each school board to notify DPI of
whether any changes were made to the previous school year’s device policy and, if so, to submit the
updated policy.
Requires DPI to submit the policies it receives to the Office of School Safety in the Department of
Justice and the Legislative Council within 14 days of receiving a policy or updated policy from a
school district.
Clarifies that the bill does not prohibit a school board from adopting a policy relating to the use or
possession of wireless communication devices by students that is more restrictive than what is
required under the bill.
BILL HISTORY
Senator Cabral-Guevara offered Senate Amendment 1 on February 24, 2024. On April 11, 2024, the
Senate Committee on Education recommended adoption of Senate Amendment 1 and passage of the
bill, as amended, on votes of Ayes, 4; Noes 1.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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