After years of speculation by Texas parents of children in K-12, the Texas Legislature has moved to ban cell phones from schools.
The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1481 on June 20 and it was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. This law prohibits the use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other non-instructional communication devices during the school day in classrooms from kindergarten to 12th grade.
When does Texas phone law take effect?
The new rule will take effect statewide at the start of the 2025–26 school year, beginning on August 4.
How will Texas phone law impact school districts?
In response to the new law, a press release by the Canutillo Independent School District stated, “Canutillo ISD is currently developing districtwide guidelines to implement this law effectively and consistently across all campuses.”
The statement went further, saying “these rules will outline how the device ban will be implemented as well as the consequences for students who do not follow the new requirements. While the specific details are still being finalized, we want to ensure that parents and families are aware of the upcoming changes well in advance.”
CISD also noted that many students and families have come to rely on personal devices for communication and organization.
Citing it as a state mandate for all Texas schools, this change may be an adjustment, “but it is a requirement that all school districts must follow. We appreciate your support as we work together to ensure a safe and focused learning environment for all students,” the release said.
Are there exceptions under Texas phone law?
Specific exemptions were written into the legislation, including students with medical needs, special education accommodations, and those using district-issued devices for instructional purposes.
These exemptions will be enforced and accommodated by school districts across the state.
El Paso parents sounds off on mobile phone ban law
The passage of the bill did not come without some controversy, as parents took aim at the stipulations in the law.
Social media posts on therealfitfamelpaso reacted by highlighting what they considered hypocrisy in education-related policies.
“They’ll ban phones but won’t do a thing about protecting kids from school shootings,” one post read.
Another underscored how cell phones saved lives in the case of a past mass shooting at a school.
“Can we take a moment to think about 10-year-old Uvalde Robb Elementary 4th grader, Khloie Torres who made multiple calls to 911 during the shooting?” the post read. “During 46 minutes of phone calls, Khloie provided information to the dispatcher and relayed the dispatcher’s orders to other students nearby. Miah Cerrillo, another student, also trapped in the classrooms, made a 911 call from Khloie’s phone and repeatedly inquired about the law enforcement response. But we want to cut any lines of communication the students will have right? Make it make sense.”
Others demanded that state lawmakers focus on what they characterized as the real danger in schools.
“Until the state can make schools safe from gun violence, they have no right taking phones away. Let’s see if they enforce this as much as they enforce the no guns law,” a post read.
Other parents noted the state does not pay for students’ cell phones, and thus, does not have the right to remove them.
“I pay for my son’s phone! PERIOD! If grades are on point, no behavior issues, and doing what needs to be done while he’s at school. He WILL be taking his phone to school. SIMPLE. When Hot Wheels can create a safe place for my son to learn without the fear of school shooting and we don’t need to worry about that cell phone being our form of communication during an emergency. Then I can revisit a cell phone ban,” another post read.
Finally, others said the Texas Legislature will have no impact on whether their children will have a mobile device.
“We don’t listen to cops, and they think we going to listen to the state?” one post read.
“My girls are taking theirs. I don’t care,” one parent posted.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New Texas law bans mobile phones in schools. What to know before fall semester begins
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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