The proposed bill, 2025 Senate Bill 957, aims to establish new policies regarding the use of wireless communication devices in public schools. It mandates that by July 1, 2027, each school board must adopt a policy that generally prohibits students from using such devices during the entire school day, which includes instructional time, recess, transitions between classes, and lunch periods. The bill retains similar exceptions to the prohibition as outlined in 2025 Wisconsin Act 42, allowing device use in emergencies, for health management, as part of individualized education programs, or for educational purposes as authorized by teachers. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the use of storage pouches for devices and the potential for stricter policies regarding possession on school premises.

The bill also includes amendments to existing statutes, specifically repealing the previous requirement under section 120.12 (29) and creating a new section 120.12 (30) that outlines the updated policy requirements. It specifies that school boards must submit their policies to the Department of Justice and the Legislative Council within 14 days of adoption. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the need for annual communication of the policy to students and requires school boards to report any changes to the policy to the department each year. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the management of wireless communication devices in schools to promote a focused educational environment.