Kansas House Bill 2299

Personal Electronic Device & Two-Way Communciation

Kansas law HB2299 will require changes to district policy concerning student cell phone and personal device use during the school day beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

Circle Public Schools is working to implement the requirements of Kansas House Bill 2299 while supporting students, families, and staff through the transition. This page will serve as the central location for policy information, updates, frequently asked questions, and implementation details related to student personal electronic communication devices.

HB 2299 Law Overview

The following is not Circle Public Schools Policy. It is a summary only of House Bill 2299. Please refer to the full House Bill 2299 for more information.

Personal Communication Devices
Staff Online Activities

Personal Communication Devices

Schools must restrict student use of and access to cell phones and personal electronic communication devices during the school day. Smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, etc. must be turned off and stored away from students from the start of school until dismissal.
This includes lunch and passing periods.

Students may choose not to bring devices to school at all. They can leave them at home or in their car in the school parking lot.
Students must have a way to contact parents/guardians using a school phone provided by the school.

The rules do not apply during travel to or from off‐campus learning, such as technical school classes, work-based learning and college classes during the school day.
Virtual schools are exempt from this law.

Staff Online Activities

In July 2026, Kansas House Bill will take effect to regulate how direct messages can be sent between a student and any school district employee. The new law outlines criteria for what digital communication tools staff members may use when contacting a student.

The new law allows two-way messaging between students and district employees when using board-approved communication systems that meet each of the following criteria:

The platform is owned, licensed or contractually controlled by the school district, and
All user accounts are created by and continually managed by the school district, and

District officials have access,
oversight and the ability to
review an archive of all
messages that have been
sent, and
Parents and guardians can
access the platform.

HB 2299 at Circle Public Schools

View Circle Public Schools' Policies

USD 375 Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)
Staff Online Activities

USD 375 Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)

CHS

Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)

PEDs are student-owned devices capable of cellular, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth connectivity such as but not limited to cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, wireless headphones, gaming devices, smart glasses, or fitness trackers.

Student PED Policy

PEDs may be brought to school by students, but must be powered off and stowed away off the person (e.g., in a locker, vehicle, or backpack), before the first bell, and are to remain off and not visible until after the dismissal bell, with exceptions for approved medical needs and situations deemed necessary by administration.

If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during the school day, they may either call from the main office or send a message through StudentSquare using their district-issued Chromebook.

Building administration has the discretion to determine the use of PEDs for students participating in after-school and/or extracurricular activities while on school property or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities on or off school property.

The school is not responsible for stolen, lost, or damaged personal items, including PEDs.

PED Policy Violation Consequences

1st Offense: The PED will be collected and turned in to the office. The student may pick up the PED from the office after school.
2nd Offense: The PED will be collected and turned in to the office. The student may pick up the PED from the office after school. A parent or guardian will be notified, and a 1 hour detention will be issued.
3rd Offense: The PED will be collected and turned in to the office. A parent or guardian must pick up the PED, and a 1 day suspension will be issued.
Repeated violations will result in further consequences and disciplinary action, including a discipline plan and a required parent or guardian meeting, and/or loss of privileges related to personal electronic devices including but not limited to detention, in-school suspension or, out-of-school suspension.

Student violation counts will reset at the beginning of the second semester.

CMS

Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)

Student PED Policy

PEDs may be brought to school by students, but must be powered off and stored off the person in lockers after the first bell and are to remain off and stored until the dismissal bell, with exceptions for approved medical needs and situations deemed necessary by
administration. Use of PEDs is prohibited in locker rooms at all times. The school is not responsible for stolen, lost, or damaged personal items, including PEDs. If a student requests to contact a family member during the school day, a staff member or the student may contact the family when appropriate and with permission. Communication with families during the school day is limited to school-related or necessary matters and is subject to staff approval and supervision. If a family member has a critical or urgent message for their student, they may call the school office.

The school is not responsible for stolen, lost, or damaged personal items, including PEDs.

PED Policy Violation Consequences

1st Offense: The PED will be collected and turned in to the office. A parent or guardian will be notified. The student may pick up the PED from the office after school.
2nd Offense: The PED will be collected and turned in to the office. The parent may
pick up the PED from the office after school. A parent or guardian will be notified.
3rd Offense: A parent or guardian will be notified. The PED will be turned in to the office each morning and may be picked up by the student after school each day for the remainder of the semester.
Additional violations may result in further disciplinary action, including but not limited to detention and in-school suspension.

Student violation counts will reset at the beginning of the second semester.

Elementary

Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)

Student PED Policy

PEDs may be brought to school by students, but must be powered off and stored off the person in backpacks upon entering the building in the morning and are to remain off and stored until after the dismissal bell, with exceptions for approved medical needs and situations deemed necessary by administration. The school is not responsible for
stolen, lost, or damaged personal items, including PEDs. If a student requests to contact a family member during the school day, a staff member or the student may contact the family when appropriate and with permission. Communication with families during the school day is limited to school-related or necessary matters and is subject to staff approval and supervision.

The school is not responsible for stolen, lost, or damaged personal items, including PEDs.

PED Policy Violation Consequences

If a student violates the policy, they will be required to turn their PED into the office where it will be stored securely until the end of the school day.
Repeated violations may result in further consequences and disciplinary action, including requiring a parent/guardian retrieve the PED from the school and/or loss of privileges related to personal electronic devices.

Staff Online Activities

HB 2299: Communication Systems

Allows two-way messaging between students and district employees when using board-approved communication systems that meet each of the following criteria:

The platform is owned, licensed or contractually controlled by the school district, and
All user accounts are created by and continually managed by the school district, and

District officials have access, oversight and the ability to review an archive of all messages that have been sent, and
Parents and guardians can access the platform.

HB 2299: Social Media

District

HB 2299 allows board approved social media platforms to be used for one-way public communications.

All School Staff

HB 2299 disallows the use of social media by all school staff for any two-way communication with students. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Private or direct messaging
- Comment-based conversations; or
- Other two-way exchange of individualized messages with a student.
As written, there are no exceptions.

Download

ParentSquareApple iOS
Google Play

StudentSquareApple iOS
Google Play

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the district's cell phone policy changing?

What does the cell phone ban include?

Circle Public Schools students will not be allowed to have or use any personal electronic communication device on any public school campus between the start and end of the school day. In accordance with Kansas law, this includes during lunch and during passing periods. In our district the school day is:

Circle High School

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
- 8:07 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Wednesday
- 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.

Circle Middle School

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
- 8:10 a.m. to 3:12 p.m.
Wednesday
- 8:30 a.m. to 3:12 p.m.

Circle Elementary Schools

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
- 8:15 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Wednesday
- 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

What is considered a "personal electronic device" under Kansas Law?

This term is defined in the law to include any wireless electronic communication device that provides for voice, text or video communication between two or more parties. This includes a mobile or cellular phone, tablet, computer, watch, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging device or personal digital assistant, among others. The law does not restrict devices that students receive from the school district, such as the Chromebooks or laptops used in our schools. These are allowed and should be brought to school for learning activities, as in the past.

Can students have their phones with them at school if they do not use them?

The law specifies that the phones must be stored securely and away from the student. Here’s what to expect at each campus:

Circle High School

storage details will be added as development continues.

Circle Middle School

storage details will be added as development continues.

Circle Elementary Schools

storage details will be added as development continues.

What if my child needs to contact me during the school day?

What if my student needs their phone in an emergency?

The law that was passed in Topeka does not provide an exception for emergencies. Rest assured, in an urgent situation or safety concern on campus, information will be sent through ParentSquare to all parents, guardians, caregivers and other emergency contacts provided during registration/enrollment.

If you have questions about how you will receive these updates or need to update your contact information, please call your child’s school office for assistance.

Why did the Circle Board of Education adopt new and updated policies?

What if my student has a medical issue that requires them to use a device?

What if a student has another special need that requires the use of a device?

What if a student leaves for an appointment or other excused absence?

Can students use their phones when they are traveling for internships, field trips, off-site academic experiences and/or extracurricular activities?

The law explicitly prohibits students from accessing or using personal devices during the school day while on campus. Our procedure for off-campus learning experiences is will be communicated soon. Please contact your child’s teacher, coach or principal if you have questions or concerns about the access to or use of a personal electronic communication device in a specific off-campus situation.

What if a student doesn’t follow the rules?

What can families do to help?

Please encourage students to follow this new expectation and share some of the benefits that come from a less distracted learning environment. Working together, we hope to minimize additional disruptions to their school day that could come from non-compliance or disciplinary procedures.
Parents, caregivers and students are all encouraged to review the handbook policy about device use at school. This can be found in the 2026-2027 student handbook.

Where should I direct my questions about device use and the new rules?

How do I message my CHS student on ParentSquare?

The Kansas House Bill 2299 overview and guidance information on this page includes content from KASB member resources.
Information on this page is subject to change as additional state guidance and district procedures are finalized.