Indiana Enacted Senate Bill 78 for Classroom Phone Limits
Students across Indiana now power down devices during school hours under a new bell-to-bell statewide policy.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Indiana officially enacted Senate Bill 78 on July 1, 2026, mandating that students store wireless communication devices during instructional time. This policy impacts classrooms across the state, including local institutions like Warsaw Community High School and Wawasee High School.
Why it matters
The law aims to improve academic performance and social engagement while reducing negative mental health outcomes linked to phone addiction. It formalizes a shift toward distraction-free learning environments across the state.
Senate Bill 78 applies to school districts statewide, affecting varied environments from large campuses like Warsaw Community High School with 2,000 students to smaller sites like Fairfield Jr./Sr. High School with fewer than 1,000.
The players
Indiana State Legislature
The state governing body responsible for passing Senate Bill 78 to standardize educational policy across local districts.
The details
Under the new mandate, students must keep their devices powered off and secured inside lockers or backpacks for the duration of the school day. Schools are required to provide accommodations for students with documented health conditions, who may retain device access through coordination with the school nurse.
Timeline
July 1, 2026: Indiana enacted Senate Bill 78.
The Home Front
Indiana is part of a broader national trend where 18 states have now implemented bell-to-bell phone restrictions to address student engagement. This legislative movement marks a departure from previous district-by-district policies, shifting the authority to state-level mandates.
Parents should confirm specific storage procedures for their child's school, as logistics for lockers or backpacks may vary by building. If your student has a documented health condition, contact the school nurse to ensure the required communication protocols are correctly filed.
The takeaway
The statewide policy transition is designed to prioritize academic focus by removing mobile devices from the school day. Families should ensure students understand where their devices must be stored during school hours to remain in compliance with the new state requirement.
Further reading
Find more updates on regional classroom policies in our Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InkFreeNews.
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