Texas House Bill 1481 to Ban Student Cell Phone Use During School Hours Starting in 2025

A new Texas law, House Bill 1481, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, will soon change the way students across the state use personal communication devices on campus.

The law requires public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt and enforce policies that limit or completely ban the use of personal communication devices — including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar electronics — during school hours.

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, schools will be required to either ban these devices from campus entirely or provide a designated area to store them during the day.

The legislation aims to reduce distractions, improve classroom engagement, and support academic success by ensuring students stay focused on learning instead of their devices.

State education leaders have emphasized that districts will finalize and share local policies before the 2025–2026 school year begins, giving families time to prepare.

While each school district will craft its own guidelines, the law does allow certain exceptions — such as for documented disabilities, medical conditions that require device access, or educational activities approved by teachers.

As families prepare for these new rules, several local school districts have already begun sharing information with parents and students to help them understand what to expect.

Below is a gallery of images from area school districts that have published their first announcements about House Bill 1481 and what it means for the upcoming school year: