February 3, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives Kitchens, Knodl, Dittrich, Donovan, Green, B. Jacobson, Melotik, Murphy, Mursau, Nedweski, O'Connor, Steffen and Tusler, cosponsored by Senators Cabral-Guevara and Feyen. Referred to Committee on Science, Technology, and AI.
AB2,1,3
1An Act to amend 119.04 (1); to create 120.12 (29) of the statutes; relating to:
2requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless
3communication devices during instructional time. Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires each school board to adopt, by July 1, 2026, a policy that generally prohibits pupils from using wireless communication devices during instructional time. For purposes of these policies, the bill requires each school board to define a “wireless communication device” as a portable wireless device that is capable of providing voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties. The bill expressly states that this definition must include cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and gaming devices. Finally, under the bill, each school board must include in its wireless communication device policy exceptions to the general prohibition against using wireless communication devices during instructional time 1) for emergencies and perceived threats, 2) to manage a pupil’s health care, 3) for a use included in an individualized education program or 504 plan, and 4) for a use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes. The bill also authorizes a school board to include other exceptions if the school board determines that doing so is beneficial for pupil education or well-being.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
AB2,1
1Section 1. 119.04 (1) of the statutes is amended to read: AB2,2,152119.04 (1) Subchapters IV, V and VII of ch. 115, ch. 121 and ss. 66.0235 (3) (c), 366.0603 (1m) to (3), 115.01 (1) and (2), 115.28, 115.31, 115.33, 115.34, 115.343, 4115.345, 115.363, 115.364, 115.365 (3), 115.366, 115.367, 115.38 (2), 115.415, 5115.445, 118.001 to 118.04, 118.045, 118.06, 118.07, 118.075, 118.076, 118.10, 6118.12, 118.124, 118.125 to 118.14, 118.145 (4), 118.15, 118.153, 118.16, 118.162, 7118.163, 118.164, 118.18, 118.19, 118.196, 118.20, 118.223, 118.225, 118.24 (1), (2) 8(c) to (f), (6), (8), and (10), 118.245, 118.25, 118.255, 118.258, 118.291, 118.292, 9118.293, 118.2935, 118.30 to 118.43, 118.46, 118.50, 118.51, 118.52, 118.53, 118.55, 10118.56, 118.58, 120.12 (2m), (4m), (5), and (15) to (27), and (29), 120.125, 120.13 (1), 11(2) (b) to (g), (3), (14), (17) to (19), (26), (34), (35), (37), (37m), and (38), 120.137, 12120.14, 120.20, 120.21 (3), and 120.25 are applicable to a 1st class city school 13district and board but not, unless explicitly provided in this chapter or in the terms 14of a contract, to the commissioner or to any school transferred to an opportunity 15schools and partnership program. AB2,216Section 2. 120.12 (29) of the statutes is created to read: AB2,2,2217120.12 (29) Prohibited uses of wireless communication devices. (a) By 18July 1, 2026, adopt a wireless communication device policy that prohibits pupils 19from using a wireless communication device during instructional time. A school 20board may include in the policy under this paragraph consequences for a pupil 21violating the policy, including confiscating a pupil’s wireless communication device 22for the remainder of the school day. AB2,3,1
1(b) Include all of the following in a policy under par. (a): AB2,3,421. That "wireless communication device" means a portable wireless device 3that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication 4between 2 or more parties and includes all of the following: AB2,3,55a. A cellular telephone. AB2,3,66b. A tablet computer. AB2,3,77c. A laptop computer. AB2,3,88d. A gaming device. AB2,3,992. Exceptions to the prohibition required under par. (a) for all of the following: AB2,3,1010a. In the event of an emergency or a perceived threat. AB2,3,1111b. To manage the pupil’s health care. AB2,3,1312c. A use included in a pupil’s individualized education program or a plan 13developed under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. AB2,3,1514d. A use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes during instructional 15time. AB2,3,17163. Other exceptions to the prohibition required under par. (a) if the school 17board determines doing so is beneficial to pupil learning or well-being.
