Introduced by Senator Rita Sanders, a legislative bill called “LB 140” was brought by Nebraska legislature at the request of Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Brian Hardin and Senator Danielle Conrad on April 11. The bill was later passed on May 20 and became effective for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill passed in a significant 48-1-0, according to the report by KETV 7.
For many public schools in Nebraska, phone policies had already been enforced by the school’s board, many were able to formulate their own set of rules for student’s use of their cell phone. LB 140 instructed public-school districts to update their set of expectations and policies for the devices.
The law states that “‘Such policy: (i) Shall, except as provided in subdivision (b) of this subsection, prohibit the use of an electronic communication device by students while on school property or attending a school instructional function.”
Disciplinary action for continued misuse of a school’s phone policy was also included. Enforcement could include limiting a student’s access to the device, since the school districts still have the liberty in deciding what action to take.
“The more buy-in of the policy we get from teachers and staff, the better the result,” said Noah McKeever, Westview’s Dean of Students.
Some exemptions for the bill are situations of emergency, such as a perceived threat of danger, monitoring of health, or deeming of acceptance by the school’s board. 
