The Texas Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1481 on May 25, and the legislation was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for final approval May 28. The proposal, which was passed by the Texas House in April, would mandate that districts adopt policies banning the use of personal communication devices during the school day.
The bill would take effect immediately if it is signed by the governor, who has until June 22 to approve or veto passed bills. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools would have 90 days after HB 1481's effective date to adopt new electronic device policies, according to the bill.
The overview
HB 1481 would require school districts to prohibit students from using personal communication devices, such as cellphones and smart watches, on campus during the school day.
Districts could provide students pouches to store their devices or ask students to keep devices in their lockers or backpacks, Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said at a May 20 Senate Education Committee hearing. Each district’s device policy must outline disciplinary measures for violations, according to the bill.
Creighton, who sponsored the bill by Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo, said the classroom should be "a space of focus, engagement and learning" instead of distraction.
“If we’re serious about improving academic outcomes and restoring order to our classrooms, we cannot ignore the problem of constant distractions through the use of electronic devices,” Creighton said on the Senate floor May 25.
The bill provides exceptions for students with medical needs or special education accommodations. Additionally, HB 1481 would not apply to devices supplied by school districts for academic purposes.
The backstory
Fairly said prohibiting students from using cellphones on K-12 campuses would help improve academic outcomes, students’ mental health and classroom management.
“We want our kids to focus on academics, such as math, science and reading, and the reality is, these phones are a distraction. ... Schools cite growing incidents of cyberbullying due to these phones. My generation is more anxious, [more] depressed, less focused and more distracted than ever before,” Fairly told the House Public Education Committee during a March 18 hearing.
Fairly, a 26-year-old in her first term as a state lawmaker, said she was distracted by cellphones as a student.
“I remember trying to sneak my phone into the high school classroom,” Fairly said. “I think that this bill truly does have the power to fundamentally change the lives and learning experiences of a generation.”
The discussion
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath has urged state lawmakers to ban student cellphone use in public schools, citing concerns about the impact to student learning and mental health.
“If it were in my power, I would’ve already banned them in schools in the state,” Morath told state senators during a Sept. 18 hearing. “So I would encourage you to consider that as a matter of public policy going forward for our students and our teachers.”
During committee hearings on March 18 and May 20, students, teachers and parents spoke in support of HB 1481 alongside state lawmakers who said the legislation was needed to combat cyberbullying, mental health issues and distractions in the classroom.
Teacher Rachel Preston said she supported restricting cellphone use but requested the bill clarify when students could use their devices for academic activities.
“Keeping the language of the bill more open can allow districts and schools to tailor their policies with input from their instructional staff in support of efficient and highly-engaged classrooms,” Preston said at the May 20 hearing.
More details
School districts across Texas have recently banned cell phones or limited when students can use them.
The following school districts in Community Impact's coverage area across Texas have recently updated their electronic device policies:
