Governor Kehoe Signs Education Bill Including School Cell Phone Rules and Safety Measures

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO)​ - Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed several bills into law on Wednesday, including Senate Bill 68, which makes significant changes to elementary and secondary education policies across the state.

SB 68, sponsored by State Senator Mike Henderson and Representative Bill Allen, creates new guidelines for cell phone usage in schools, among other reforms. Henderson says the legislation came after conversations with educators and administrators across the state.

While the law restricts student cell phone use during school hours, exceptions are included.

The policy must be implemented by the upcoming school year, and several Parkland-area schools have already notified parents about the new rules.

In addition to cell phone policies, the bill strengthens school safety measures, including:

Mandatory CPR training in schools.

Required comprehensive emergency operations plans for school districts and charter schools.

Appointment of school safety coordinators, with clearly defined responsibilities and training standards.

Required reporting of credible threats and safety incidents to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which will maintain and share data with the Department of Public Safety.

Expansion of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Scholarship, which now covers costs related to teacher preparation.

SB 68 reflects Missouri’s growing focus on improving classroom environments, boosting student safety, and addressing the state’s teacher shortage.