By: Fairly H.B. No. 1481
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of personal wireless communication devices by
students during instructional time.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.0232 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.0232. PERSONAL DEVICE USE BY STUDENTS PROHIBITED.
(a) In this section, “personal wireless communication device”
means any wireless electronic communication device, other than a
device provided to students by a school for instructional purposes,
capable of transmitting and/or receiving data, including cellular
telephones, text messaging devices, laptop computers, and tablet
computers.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 38.0231, the board of trustees
of a school district and the governing body of an open-enrollment
charter school shall adopt policies prohibiting students from using
personal wireless communication devices during instructional time.
(c) Policies adopted under Subsection (a) must require that
classrooms designate a secure, out-of-sight area for the storage of
personal wireless communication devices during instructional time.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.