Recently, House Bill 1481 was signed into law by Governor Abbott, banning cell phones in Texas Schools. 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.
This law takes effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
· Scope: The ban applies to all public schools in Texas, including charter schools.
· Devices:
The law restricts the use of “personal communication devices,” which includes cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and tablets.
· Timing: The ban is in effect during the school day, which generally means during instructional time in the classroom.
· Enforcement:
School districts are required to adopt rules for how to enforce the ban, which may involve confiscating devices and imposing other penalties.
· Exceptions:
While the law aims for a broad ban, some exceptions may exist for specific situations, such as for students with documented medical needs or for use during emergencies, but these will vary by district.
· Impact: The goal of the ban is to minimize distractions in the classroom and create a more focused learning environment.
· Parental Concerns:
Some parents have expressed concerns about the potential impact on communication with their children during the school day and in emergencies, but districts are working to address these concerns.
In Lamb County, schools are releasing their updated cell phone policies as follows: ALL school districts, by law, must now establish and follow measures for violations of this law and confiscation of the personal communication device.
SUDAN ISD
As of August 13, 2025, all personal student electronic devices are to be left at home or must be powered off and put away while on campus during the instructional day.
This includes cell phones, AirPods, Bluetooth Headphones, Smartwatches, Smart Glasses, Tablets, Pagers, or any other personal electronic devices.
Students will not be allowed to use these devices at any time during the school day while on school property including during class time, recess, field trips, PE, lunch, class change time/passing periods, restroom breaks, locker rooms, etc.
Intent of the Law
The intent of this new law is to foster a learning environment with less distractions, increased engagement and interactions among peers and more collaboration between students and staff.
Instructional Time and Scope of the Policy:
• Instructional hours are from 8:10 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
• Devices may not be seen or used during any school function within the hours of 8:10 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
Students may NOT use the before mentioned devices for any reason during school hours, including but not limited to:
• Checking time
• Using a calculator
• Listening to music
• Reading books
• Checking grades Exceptions to the Rule
• If a student has a documented medical need that requires device use, it must be included in an official 504 or IEP.
• Health plan, with proper physician order on file for a legitimate medical need.
• School issued devices used for instruction, with personal communication type settings and apps turned off so that a student cannot receive or send messages or any type of personal communication.
Consequences of Violating the Law
• If a device is confiscated, it will not be returned to the student for any reason.
• A parent or guardian must pick up the device from the principal.
• There will be no fee to retrieve the confiscated device.
• If a student continues to fail to comply with this new policy, it will result in further consequences such as but not limited to lunch detention, ISS, OSS, DAEP or ticketed citation from Law Enforcement.
What Parents Can Do Talk about the policy with your child:
• Please begin by talking with your child about these changes now. It is important that you discuss this policy with your child, so they are prepared for the expectations starting this school year, 2025-26.
• Explain why the new rule exists to help students focus and reduce distractions.
• Let them know it is now state law (HB 1481), not just a school rule. Set Expectations at home:
• Discuss the importance of following school rules, and consequences of not complying.
• Encourage responsibility and respect for school policies/state law. Plan Communication:
• Let your child know you can contact the school office to get important messages to and from them. Make sure your child has important numbers on hand.
• Make sure Parent and Emergency Contact numbers are up to date with each campus.
Thank you for your support as we work to maintain a focused, distraction-free, and safe learning environment for all students.
SPRINGLAKE-EARTH ISD Policy Overview:
To comply with HB 1481, students will not be permitted to possess or use personal communication devices during instructional hours on school premises, effective August 13, 2025, Springlake-Earth has adopted the following policy:
Cell Phone Storage Procedure:
Upon Arrival to School:
• Students who bring a personal communication device, including cell phones, smart watch, earbuds, headphones, and/or other electronic devices to school must check it/them in at the school office, or designated area, each day upon arrival.
• All devices will be placed in airplane mode, or turned off, for storage.
• All devices will be safely stored and secured in a designated storage area managed by school personnel.
End of the School Day:
• Students may retrieve their de- vices from the office or designated storage area at the end of the instructional day.
• Phones will not be accessible during class, lunch, or during passing periods. Alternative Option:
• Students are encouraged to leave their phones and smart watches at home to avoid any potential issues, delays, or possible damage.
• The school district is not responsible for any potential damage or loss of devices brought to school by students.
Important Notes:
• Any student found in possession of a device during the school day will have the device confiscated and may be subject to further disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
• Parents needing to contact their child during school hours may contact the appropriate school office.
• Students needing to make a call during the school day may do so from the office with staff permission.
Again, HB 1481 aims to reduce classroom distractions and improve educational outcomes by limiting non-academic device use during learning time. We appreciate your cooperation and support as we implement this state-mandate.
Consequences for Violating Cell Phone Policy (re: HB 1481) 1st Offense:
• The device will be confiscated and held in the office.
• The student may pick up the device at the end of the day.
• The student will receive a verbal warning and review of the policy.
2nd Offense:
• The device will be confiscated and held in the office.
• A parent or legal guardian will be notified and required to pick up the phone in person.
• The student will receive a written warning, which will be placed in the student’s file.
• The student will be assigned lunch detention.
3rd Offense:
• The device will be confiscated and held in the office.
• A parent conference will be required before the device is returned.
• The student will be assigned to Monday school.
• The student will lose all device privileges for a specified number of days as determined by the campus principal.
Any additional offenses of this policy will result in the student being placed into In-School Suspension (ISS).
Additional Notes:
• Refusal to turn in a phone when requested by staff will be treated as insubordination and may result in more serious consequences regardless of offense number.
• All disciplinary actions, including verbal warnings, will be documented.
• Special accommodations (e.g., medical needs, emergencies) will be handled individually with administrative approval.
This is a STATE Policy Mandate, not just a district mandate.
OLTON ISD
Olton ISD will follow a “See it, Hear it, Take it” approach to implementing HB 1481. Devices include (But are not limited to): cell phones, smart watches, tablets, laptops, bluetooth earbuds and gaming devices.
A student who displays these types of devices while on any school property between 7:55 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. will have them confiscated by a school employee.
The device will be turned in to the appropriate campus office of that student, the campus behavior coordinator (principal) will be responsible for ensuring its storage, we will attempt to contact the parent regarding the issue, and discipline for the student relating to the infraction of the policy will be administered.
The policy does make accommodations for some very limited exceptions regarding the use of devices while on campus. Please speak with your campus principal regarding these. Disciplinary Action Offenses start with the beginning of the school year and conclude with the last day of the school year.
1st Offense: The student will be allowed to retrieve the device after the conclusion of the school day and will have a conference with the principal.
2nd Offense: Only a parent will be allowed to retrieve the device after the conclusion of the day and the student will be assigned lunch or after school detention.
3rd Offense:
Only a parent will be allowed to retrieve the device after the conclusion of the day and the student will be assigned two days of lunch or after school detention. 4th Offense: Only a parent will be allowed to retrieve the device after the conclusion of the day and the student will be given the option of a day of ISS or the use of corporal punishment (if authorized by the parent), and the device will be pouched* while at school for 5 school days.
5th Offense
The principal will review prior history and make individual decisions.
*Pouching refers to the use of a sleeve that allows the student to maintain control of the device while not allowing them the opportunity to use the device. The device can always be unlocked by bringing it to the office.
Littlefield ISD’s policy updates were not available at press time and Amherst ISD’s proposed cell phone policy is being taken to the Board for approval.