Kansas School Changes: What Families Need to Know About Cell Phone and Digital Security

Kansas | July 1, 2026

Planeta Venus

Infographic made with AI for editorial purposes | Planeta Venus

The state of Kansas has enacted new laws that will transform how our children interact with technology in schools. For our Latino community, staying informed is essential to facing these changes smoothly.

HB 2299 and HB 2537 establish strict rules on cell phone use and new protections against digital extortion. Here's what these measures are and how your family can prepare.

"Bell to Bell" Rule: Goodbye Cell Phones (HB 2299). HB 2299 requires all public school districts and accredited private schools to adopt a policy prohibiting students from using or accessing personal electronic devices during the school day. This rule applies from the first bell until dismissal, meaning cell phone use is prohibited even during lunch and class change periods.

Students will need to keep their devices turned off and stored in inaccessible places, such as lockers or backpacks. Importantly, this restriction applies not only to cell phones but also to tablets, personal laptops, smartwatches, and wireless headphones. School-provided devices for learning (such as Chromebooks) are not subject to this rule. In addition, by September 2026, schools must limit private communication on social media between employees and students.

How does this affect our working families? We know that many Latino and immigrant parents work multiple jobs or non-traditional hours and rely on text messages to coordinate who will pick up children, share medical updates, or advise about changes in the household. With this new law, students will no longer be able to step aside to make a call or send a quick message from their own cell phone.

From now on, students will need to use school-designated devices, such as the front office phone, to contact their parents. If you need to contact your child urgently, call the school directly. Therefore, it is vital to update your contact details in school records and adapt to these official channels.

Another crucial aspect is incident documentation. Previously, many students used their phones to record situations of bullying, discrimination, or excessive disciplinary measures. Under the new rules, capturing this type of evidence will be more difficult during school hours, which requires maintaining more open communication with your children about their day-to-day lives.

Health or Disability Exceptions: Language barriers can often make it difficult for our families to understand their rights. If your child has a medical condition or disability that requires the use of a personal device, there are exceptions. Parents can request special leave by documenting medical necessity through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a 504 plan, or a doctor's note.

Caleb's Law (HB Law 2537): Protection Against Online Extortion: Our young people, including Latino and immigrant youth, are not exempt from the dangers of the internet, especially on social media. HB 2537, known as "Caleb's Law," expands the definition of sextortion (or "sextortion"). This occurs when a scammer threatens a minor with sharing intimate photos or videos unless the victim complies with their demands.

This law significantly increases criminal punishments when the victim is a minor and the offender is an adult, providing stronger legal protection for our youth. It is critical to educate our children about these cyber scams and how to prevent them.

For immigrant families, the most important message is this: immigration status should not be a barrier to reporting sexual threats or extortion. These laws protect youth and their families, and they should seek help from schools or law enforcement authorities without fear. Stay in constant contact with your school district's authorities to ensure your children's physical and digital well-being.