Texas bill banning K-12 students from using cell phones during school hours signed into law

AUSTIN, Texas – A Texas bill that would ban K-12 students from using cell phones during school hours has been signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.

House Bill 1481, introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly of Amarillo, prohibits students from using their cell phones during the school day.

At least eight states have enacted similar bans over the last few years, including both Democrat-led states like California and Republican-led states like Arkansas.

• Texas bill would ban K-12 students from using cell phones during school hours

HB 1481 provides some flexibility for school districts, allowing them to decide whether to allow cellphone use during extracurricular activities. Schools would also be able to decide whether they want to restrict cellphone use by prohibiting students from bringing their devices to school or designating a “secure storage” space for the devices.

The ban also restricts use of any device “capable of telecommunication or digital communication,” like a smartwatch, flip phone or pager.

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Some students would be exempt from the ban. According to HB 1481, students in certain special education settings would be allowed to use their cellphones if they are needed for their instruction or if a physician says a student needs the device.

The law will take effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

The Texas Tribune contributed to this report.