LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 22, 2026) — Today, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 495 and House Bill (HB) 4141 to restrict student cell phone use during school instructional time. After months of negotiations led by Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), lawmakers struck a bipartisan, bicameral compromise last week, leading to today’s Senate passage of both bills. Together, SB 495 and HB 4141 will require all public school districts to implement cell phone policies to reduce student usage and distractions in the classroom with exceptions for emergencies.
“As a former teacher, I know firsthand how much student cell phone use impedes the ability to focus and learn in the classroom. While my legislative colleagues and I have long agreed that addressing this issue is critical for Michigan kids, we’ve had to work together across the aisle to find common ground on a bicameral solution that best meets the needs of our schools — and I’m proud that we’ve successfully been able to do just that,” said Sen. Polehanki, Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “My House Democratic colleagues also played a crucial role in today’s passage of these bipartisan bills, standing resolute until we all came to an agreement that truly benefits our students and schools. This is a win that will not only make a positive difference in our classrooms but also show the people of Michigan that despite our political differences, we can come together and deliver bipartisan solutions to the problems facing our state.”
SB 495 has been sent to the House of Representatives where it awaits further consideration. HB 4141 now heads to the governor’s desk.
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