Texas bill banning students from using cell phones in school signed by Gov. Abbott

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin school bans phones for school year

An Austin college preparatory school for young women is going phone free for the upcoming school year, joining the growing list of Central Texas schools enforcing a "no phone" policy

AUSTIN, Texas - Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill banning Texas students from using cell phones during the school day.

Banning cell phones in Texas schools

Dig deeper:

House Bill 1481 requires public school districts or open-enrollment charter school to adopt and implement policies prohibiting students from using a "personal communication device" in the course of school hours.

Under the bill, the school would either have to prohibit students from bringing devices on campus, or provide a way for the student to store the device while on school property.

The policy also requires schools to have punishments in place for students who are found using the devices.

The lists of banned personal communication devices includes cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices or any other electronic devices "capable of telecommunication or digital communication." The bill makes exceptions for devices provided by the school.

There are also exceptions for devices needed for an education program, if a student has a doctor's note or if it is necessary to comply with health or safety requirements or the school's safety protocols.

ILLUSTRATION - 08 April 2025, Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart: A schoolchild is sitting at a desk, working on tasks with a pen and holding a smartphone in his hand. (Staged scene). Photo: Marijan Murat/dpa (Photo by Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Ge

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The House approved the bill 128 to 17 with two not voting. The Senate passed the bill by a 31 to 0 vote.

Gov. Abbott signed the bill into law on June 20.

Because the bill was passed by more than a two-thirds vote in both chambers, the law took effect immediately.

School boards have 90 days to adopt the cell phone policy.

Big picture view:

School leaders say cell phones have led to issues with distractions and bullying.

Several school districts have implemented cell phone restrictions in recent years. 

Some, like Richardson ISD in North Texas, require students to lock away their phones in Yondr pouches. Richardson ISD's superintendent reported that 85 percent of teachers said they got more instructional time back with a cell phone-free environment.

The other side:

There has been some pushback to the idea of banning phones in schools. 

Students in Houston held a walkout last year to protest a cell phone ban. Some parents have also brought up the Uvalde school shooting. During the shooting, several students made calls for help while trapped inside.