Texas students will face a new school-day reality this fall: no cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, or other personal electronic devices during school hours.
House Bill 1481, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, prohibits the use of personal communication devices on school property from the first bell to the last. The law applies to all public school students, kindergarten through 12th grade.
Banned devices include cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and any Bluetooth-enabled earbuds or headphones. The law requires school districts to adopt written policies either prohibiting students from bringing these devices to campus or providing secure storage options, such as lockable pouches or lockers.
