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Bill > HB1481

TX HB1481

TX HB1481
Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

summary

Introduced
12/02/2024
In Committee
05/22/2025
Crossed Over
04/24/2025
Passed
06/20/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/20/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

AI Summary

This bill modifies the existing Texas Education Code to provide more comprehensive guidelines for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools regarding student use of personal communication devices. The legislation requires these educational institutions to adopt, implement, and enforce a written policy that prohibits students from using personal communication devices during the school day while on school property. The policy must establish disciplinary measures for violations and may include provisions for device confiscation. The bill provides flexibility for schools to either completely prohibit these devices or establish a method for storing them during school hours. Importantly, the legislation mandates exceptions for devices needed to implement individualized education programs, accommodate students with documented medical needs, or comply with health and safety requirements. The definition of a personal communication device is broadened to include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and other electronic communication devices. The bill also requires the state education agency to develop and publish model policy language and specifies that school districts must adopt these policies within 90 days of the act's effective date. The goal appears to be creating a standardized approach to managing student device use while allowing for necessary accommodations and local discretion.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (95)

Brad Buckley (R)*,  Brandon Creighton (R)*,  Caroline Fairly (R)*,  Ann Johnson (D)*,  Jared Patterson (R)*,  James Talarico (D)*,  Daniel Alders (R),  Jeffrey Barry (R),  Cecil Bell (R),  Keith Bell (R),  Salman Bhojani (D),  Greg Bonnen (R),  John Bucy (D),  Ben Bumgarner (R),  Angie Button (R),  Donna Campbell (R),  Sheryl Cole (D),  David Cook (R),  Philip Cortez (D),  Tom Craddick (R),  Pat Curry (R),  Aicha Davis (D),  Jay Dean (R),  Mano DeAyala (R),  Erin Gámez (D),  Linda Garcia (D),  Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D),  Gary Gates (R),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Charlie Geren (R),  Vikki Goodwin (D),  Bobby Guerra (D),  Ryan Guillen (R),  Sam Harless (R),  Cody Harris (R),  Richard Hayes (R),  Cole Hefner (R),  Ana Hernandez (D),  Adam Hinojosa (R),  Lacey Hull (R),  Helen Kerwin (R),  Ken King (R),  Stan Kitzman (R),  Lois Kolkhorst (R),  Suleman Lalani (D),  Stan Lambert (R),  Brooks Landgraf (R),  Jeff Leach (R),  Oscar Longoria (D),  Janie Lopez (R),  Ray Lopez (D),  A.J. Louderback (R),  John Lujan (R),  Christian Manuel (D),  Mando Martinez (D),  Trey Martinez Fischer (D),  Don McLaughlin (R),  John McQueeney (R),  José Menéndez (D),  Will Metcalf (R),  Morgan Meyer (R),  Terry Meza (D),  Brent Money (R),  Joe Moody (D),  Eddie Morales (D),  Penny Morales Shaw (D),  Matt Morgan (R),  Candy Noble (R),  Mike Olcott (R),  Tom Oliverson (R),  Angelia Orr (R),  Tan Parker (R),  Dennis Paul (R),  Mary Ann Perez (D),  Dade Phelan (R),  Mihaela Plesa (D),  Richard Raymond (D),  Keresa Richardson (R),  Jon Rosenthal (D),  Nate Schatzline (R),  Lauren Simmons (D),  John Smithee (R),  Kevin Sparks (R),  David Spiller (R),  Carl Tepper (R),  Tony Tinderholt (R),  Steve Toth (R),  Gary VanDeaver (R),  Denise Villalobos (R),  Wesley Virdell (R),  Armando Walle (D),  Royce West (D),  Trey Wharton (R),  Terry Wilson (R),  Erin Zwiener (D), 

Last Action

Effective immediately (on 06/20/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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