AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has officially signed House Bill 1481 into law, banning cell phone use for K-12 students during school hours across the state.
The new law, introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly of Amarillo, aims to reduce classroom distractions by prohibiting the use of cell phones and other digital communication devices, such as smartwatches, flip phones, and pagers, during the school day.
Related posts
Key Highlights of HB 1481:
-
Applies to all K-12 public schools in Texas.
-
Gives districts flexibility to manage cell phone use during extracurriculars.
-
Allows schools to choose whether to restrict devices completely or provide “secure storage” options.
-
Exemptions apply to:
-
Students in special education settings, when phones are needed for instruction.
-
Students who require a device for medical reasons, with a doctor’s note.
-
Texas joins at least eight other states that have adopted similar laws in recent years—spanning both red and blue states such as Arkansas and California.
The law will take effect at the start of the 2025–2026 school year, giving schools time to prepare policies and infrastructure to comply with the new rules.
