Governor Greg Abbott in Amarillo for enacting legislation that bans use of cell phones during school hours
Texas Schools Implement New Device Restrictions
A new law, House Bill 1481, has been signed into law in Texas, banning the use of personal wireless communication devices during school hours in all public schools and open-enrollment charter schools across the state. The law, which takes effect for the 2025–2026 school year, applies to a wide range of devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, gaming devices, earbuds, two-way radios, pagers, fitness trackers with messaging capability, and any other device capable of transmitting or receiving data.
Introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly of Amarillo, the law aims to reduce distractions, enhance academic focus, limit cyberbullying opportunities, and support student engagement and achievement in the classroom. To comply with HB 1481, school districts must adopt and enforce policies restricting the use, visibility, and access to such devices during instructional hours.
Districts have the option to either ban personal devices entirely from campus or provide a secure storage solution during school hours. Some districts require devices to be powered off, out of sight, and stored away in lockers, backpacks, or specially provided locking pouches called Yondr pouches that keep phones secured for the entire day. Students maintain possession of these pouches at all times but cannot access their devices until the end of the day.
Enforcement typically starts with a warning for first offenses; repeated infractions may lead to confiscation of the device. The goal is to promote distraction-free learning environments and improve student focus and safety. Schools are communicating new policies, procedures, and expectations to students and families ahead of implementation to help facilitate the transition.
The ceremonial signing of House Bill 1481 took place at 1 p.m. on Friday at AmTech Career Academy in Amarillo, Texas. Governor Greg Abbott was in attendance for the event, which was streamed live by ABC 7 News on their website and YouTube channel. Exceptions to the device restrictions are made for students with documented medical needs or safety requirements.
In summary, House Bill 1481 bans the use of personal wireless communication devices during the school day at all Texas public schools, requires all public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt policies, and provides exceptions for students with documented medical needs or safety requirements. The law is intended to promote distraction-free learning environments and improve student focus and safety.
- The new Texas law, House Bill 1481, is focused on education-and-self-development, aimed at reducing distractions and enhancing academic focus, thus promoting learning in the classroom.
- The policy-and-legislation surrounding House Bill 1481, as part of the general-news, involves the creation and enforcement of new devices restrictions in Texas schools, aiming to limit cyberbullying opportunities and support student engagement and achievement.
