Indiana State Law: Senate Bill 78

Indiana Senate Bill 78 was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun and took effect July 1, 2026. The law requires every public school and charter school in Indiana to adopt a wireless communication device policy that restricts student use of cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, gaming devices, and similar devices for the entire school day — not just during instructional time. This is often called a “bell-to-bell” policy.

Under the law, school districts must choose one of two approaches:

• A no-device policy, where students may not bring personal devices to school at all, or
• A secure storage policy, where students may bring devices but must keep them powered off and stored away, out of reach, for the entire school day.

MSD of Pike Township has adopted the secure storage approach.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR CHILD

Building on our district’s “Power Down for Success” initiative, student devices will be stored as follows during the school day:

• Elementary School: Designated classroom location
• Middle School: Locker
• High School: Backpack

Devices should be powered off before the school day begins and may be used again after dismissal.

The law allows exceptions for students who need a device to manage a documented medical condition with an order from a licensed health care provider, for translation needs, or when otherwise authorized by school administration.

Thank you for your partnership as we work to support focused learning environments for all students.