Michigan Moves Toward Silencing Cell Phones in Class

On February 10, 2026, Governor Whitmer signed Public Act 2 of 2026, which restricts student cell phone use during instructional time. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, a board of education must implement a policy that prohibits students from using wireless communications devices on school grounds during instructional time.

The new law defines “wireless communication device” as an electronic device capable of, but not limited to, text messaging, voice communication, entertainment, navigation, accessing the internet, sending and receiving photos or videos, or producing email, but does not include a basic telephone. “School grounds” includes any building, playing field, or property used for school purposes to impart instruction to children or used for functions and events sponsored by a school. The definition explicitly does not include a building used primarily for adult education or college extension courses.

The wireless communications policy must provide details about the enforcement mechanisms that the school will use to effectuate the policy. Further, the board policy must provide the following exemptions:

• medically necessary devices (e.g., glucose monitors/​applications);
• school-owned devices (e.g., laptops and tablets);
• devices designated by the school to be used for instructional purposes;
• devices used for special education programming or devices otherwise provided as an accommodation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or as part of an IEP under the IDEA;
• devices used in lesson-specific assignments, at the limited discretion of the classroom teacher; and
• emergency situations, as described in the school’s emergency plan adopted under RSC 1308b; use of a wireless communication device, however, cannot interfere with the school’s emergency protocols or the actions of first responders, and must not endanger students or staff.

Finally, after the board has adopted the wireless communication device policy, the policy must be posted to the school’s website.

School boards and officials should begin discussions on developing a wireless communications policy specific to each school. Thrun Policy Service subscribers can look for an update to Policy 5209 “Student Use of Cell Phones and Electronic Communication Devices” in this summer’s annual update. If your school would like assistance drafting a compliant wireless communications policy, please contact Thrun’s Policy Administrator, Lucas Savoie, at Policy@thrunlaw.com.