Overview
- Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1481 requiring public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to prohibit personal communication devices during instruction and set disciplinary measures for violations.
- Exceptions are limited to medical needs, approved educational programs and compliance with health or safety regulations.
- In Richardson Independent School District, 85 percent of teachers reported regained instructional time and fewer distractions under a local phone ban.
- Opponents caution that strict prohibitions could hamper students’ ability to contact help in emergencies, noting cellphone use during the 2022 Uvalde shooting.
- Other states such as Arkansas and Pennsylvania are weighing or promoting district-level phone policies while countries including the UK, Australia and Brazil have adopted similar restrictions with tailored exemptions.