Lansing — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed Tuesday that a new state policy to ban students from using cellphones in schools during instructional time will help improve their social skills and their ability to learn.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills into law Tuesday, banning most cell phone use by students in schools across the state.

Gov. Whitmer signed bipartisan bills requiring Michigan schools to create cell phone restriction plans by fall 2025, giving educators state authority.

Michigan's health insurance program for the poor is expected to lose billions of dollars in revenue as a result of changes in law at the federal level.

Michigan will implement a statewide policy banning smartphone use in classrooms starting in the 2026-27 school year. The new law requires school districts to create policies prohibiting phone use during instructional time, with some exceptions. Exceptions include use for medical needs, specific lessons, special education, and emergencies.

Marking off a priority that she first shared in her 2025 State of the State Address, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her signature to a set of bills to ban cellphones during instruction time in Michigan classrooms.

A statewide ban on student use of cellphones during K-12 class time will take effect for the 2026-27 school year.

WAVERLY, MI – Starting this fall, your child’s smartphone will be banned from their K-12 classroom during instructional time. Students can still use traditional flip phones, and will have exemptions for medical devices and other school-sanctioned tech,

This law bans smart phones in classroom settings — and what that will look like, will depend on each district.

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Saving Michiganders Money Plan aims to provide financial relief to seniors, families and workers through targeted tax cuts and expanded education funding.

Under Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, there are “fewer families living in poverty” than under her predecessor. The poverty rate under Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has ranged from 13.1% to 13.5%. The state’s poverty rate remains higher than the national average.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budget director will go before lawmakers Wednesday to lay out her proposed spending plan for the next fiscal year — just the next step in a long budgeting process.