New Texas Law Bans Student Cellphones in Public Schools from Sept. 1

DALLAS – Students across Texas must put their cellphones away starting Sept. 1. A new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott over the weekend, House Bill 1481, requires public schools and open‑enrollment charter schools to ban the use of personal communication devices during school hours.

The law applies to cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, paging devices, radios, and any device capable of digital communication. Under the rule, students must either leave their devices at home or store them securely and out of sight while on campus. Schools must also adopt policies for enforcement and penalties when students violate the ban.

The new restrictions have already gained support from several North Texas districts. In Richardson ISD, students use magnetic Yondr pouches that keep phones secure but with students throughout the day. The superintendent said 85% of teachers felt the policy gave them more instructional time.

Other districts, including Dallas ISD, have experimented with phone restrictions and now must adopt formal policies over the summer.

While many support the ban for reducing distractions and bullying, some students and parents have expressed concerns. In Houston, students walked out to protest restrictions last year, citing incidents like the Uvalde school shooting where victims used phones to call for help. The new law allows exceptions for medical reasons, educational needs, or when necessary for health and safety.

With this legislation, Texas aims to create a safer, more focused learning environment for students starting this fall.