Missouri Lawmakers Tackle Education Bills on Religion and Screen Time

Feb 6, 2026, 2:18 AM

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Missouri lawmakers are engaged in debates over multiple bills focused on enhancing religious involvement in schools and mitigating the impact of digital devices on student learning. These discussions come as education officials express growing concerns about how technology affects children's mental health and academic performance.

One notable piece of legislation under consideration is a bill that permits public schools to hire chaplains or accept them as volunteers. While proponents argue that chaplains can provide crucial support for students' emotional and spiritual needs, critics worry that this could lead to proselytizing rather than genuine support for all students, regardless of their beliefs. The bill's sponsor, State Sen. Rusty Black, emphasizes the potential benefits for students and teachers facing mental health challenges.

In addition to religious provisions, Missouri lawmakers are also looking to limit the use of digital devices in schools. A significant focus of the current session is a proposed bill that would restrict students' access to cell phones during school hours. This initiative aligns with growing concerns among educators and parents regarding the detrimental effects of screen time on learning and mental health. Research has shown that excessive cell phone use can negatively impact students' abilities to focus and engage in classroom activities.

The push for screen time restrictions is bolstered by data suggesting that a substantial portion of educational leaders believe cell phones hinder student learning. A recent poll indicated that 76% of Missourians support restrictions on cell phone use in elementary schools, while similar sentiments were echoed for middle and high school students.

Lawmakers are also considering provisions that allow home-schooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities, including sports and clubs. This move is seen as an effort to integrate home-schooled children into the broader educational community and provide them opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities that they might otherwise miss.

As these debates unfold, the Missouri Legislature has a tight timeline, with only weeks remaining in the current session. Lawmakers are expected to finalize various bills, including those addressing school funding and policies related to education technology. The outcome of these legislative efforts could have lasting implications for Missouri's educational landscape, particularly regarding how religion and technology coexist in schools.

In summary, the Missouri Legislature is grappling with critical issues concerning the intersection of religion and education while also tackling the challenges posed by technology in the classroom. The decisions made in the coming weeks will significantly influence the state's approach to education and student well-being for years to come.

Lawmakers aim to balance the need for spiritual support in schools with the necessity of creating a distraction-free learning environment that prioritizes students' mental health and academic success. The outcome of these legislative discussions will provide insights into how Missouri navigates these complex issues moving forward.

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